
























Class _ 

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GLOSSARY OF 


TERMS and PHRASES 

CONNECTED WITH THE 

MINING INDUSTRY 


IN COMMON USE 
IN THE MINING REGIONS 
OF AMERICA 



HE list is thought to be very complete, 
and includes the terms used by Spanish- 
Mexican, Cornish, English, French, 
Italian, Dutch, Greek, Latin and American Min¬ 
ers; to which is included a Lexicon of the Principal 
Minerals, and Miscellaneous matter connected 

i > > > 

with the mining industry* : ' : , 


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Compiled and arranged hy 


Geo. A. Crofutt 

cAuthor of 


** CrofutPs Overland Tourist,” “ CrofutPs Great Trans-Con- 
tinental Railroad Guide,” 44 CrofutPs Grip-Sack Guide 
of Colorado,” “Round-up of the Chinook 
Jargon,” “Glossary of Mining 
Terms and Phrases,” etc* 


DENVER, COLORADO 
PUBLISHED BY 

THE SMITH-BROOKS PRINTING CO. 













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THE LIBRARY ©F 

©ONGRESS, 

Two Co-'REceivrts 

MAR. S' 1^02 

CoWfUOHT ENTRY 
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CLASS c*-' XX°° Nw- 

T. F % -q *- r 
COPY U 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1902, 

By GEO. A. CROFUTT, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 


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PREFACE 


In our “Grip-sack Guide of Colorado” for 1885 we 
published a glossary of terms and phrases used by 
the miners of different nationalities in the mining 
regions of Colorado. 

So far as we know, it was the only list of the kind 
ever published, and cost us much time and labor in 
research—imperfect as it was. 

We now present a more complete list, and include 
a lexicon of the principal minerals, and miscellaneous 
matter connected with the mining industry. 

THE AUTHOR 


The Author is under obligations to Prof. Geo. C. Shiels, 
Professor of Languages, Denver, Colo., for the arrangement 
of the derivations of the various terms and phrases used in 
this book. 




KEY 


(S-M). -__Spanish-Mexican 

(A). American 

(L) _ ...Latin 

(G). Greek 

(E-C)_English-Cornish 

(F). French 

(I)_ Italian 

(D)_ Dutch 


f 










TERMS AND PHRASES CONNECTED WITH THE 
MINING INDUSTRY, IN COMMON USE IN THE 
MINING REGION OF AMERICA. 


A 

Abra (S-M). A fissure; a cavity in the rock or lode. 

Abronzado (S-M). Yellow copper ore, or sulphuret 
of copper. 

Acarreadores (S-M). Wood-carriers. 

Acceleration (A). An increase in the velocity of a 
moving body. 

Acequia (S-M). A ditch. 

Acero (S-M). Steel. 

Achicadores (S-M). Workmen employed in remov¬ 
ing the water in botas. 

Achicar (S-M). To diminish or decrease the water 
in the shaft, or other workings of the mine. 

Acicular (S-M). Straight and slender crystals. 

Acuna (S-M). A die for coining. 

Acunar (S-M). To coin. 

Acunacion (S-M). Coining. 

Acunador (S-M). One who coins money. 

Adamant (G). A very hard stone—a diamond. 

Adesite (A). Porphyrite lava, dark color, found em¬ 
bedded in feldspar. 

Ademar (S-M). To timber. 

Ademador (S-M). A timber man; carpenter in a 
mine. 

Ademe (S-M). Timber works for supporting a mine. 

Adit (A). A horizontal entrance into a pit; an open¬ 
ing drain. 

Administrator (A). The superintendent. 

Administration (A). The management. 

Adobe (S-M). Sun-dried brick; sod sometimes used. 



6 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Adrift (A). Floating at random; hunting a vein of 
ore. 

Afinacion (S-M). Refining ores. 

Affinity (A). The attraction by which the particles 
of different substances unite. 

•n 

Agata (S-M). Agate stone. 

Aggregated (A). Where the component parts may 
be separated by mechanical means. 

Aquafuerte (S-M). Nitrous, or nitrous acid; aqua¬ 
fortis. 

Ahondar (S-M). To sink, or deepen. 

Ahonde (S-M). Sinking, or digging downward. 

Air (A). Is 815 times lighter than water and 11.065 
times lighter than mercury. At seven miles above 
the surface of the earth the air is four times 
greater than at the surface. At fourteen miles 
it is sixteen times lighter. At twenty-one miles, 
sixty-four times lighter. 

Air-machines (A). Machines for forcing in fresh air, 
or withdrawing foul from badly ventilated mines. 

Air-pipes (A). Used in connection with air-machines, 
or for ventilating mines. 

Aitch-piece (A). The plunger; lift where the clacks 
are affixed. 

Alabastro (S-M). Alabaster. 

Alabaster (G). Gypsum; massive sulphate of lime; 
a subtranslucent, yellowish, banded, calcareous 
stalagmite. 

Albaredon (S-M). A dyke. 

Albayalda (S-M). White lead. 

Albanil (S-M). A mason; a bricklayer. 

Albergue (S-M). A hollow, or natural den. 

Aleacion (S-M). The act; method of alloying metals. 

Alear (S-M). To alloy metals. 

Alliacious (L). The peculiar garlic odor of arseni¬ 
cal minerals when struck or heated. 

Alloy (F). Debased by mixing two or more metals. 
See under “Miscellaneous.” 



7 


Connected with the Mining Industry. 


Alluvium (L). A deposit of loose gravel between 
the superficial vegetable mould and subjacent 
rock. 

Alimentos (S-M). An allowance as subsistence; a 
kind of “grub-stake” to miners until their mines 
become profitable. 

Almacen (S-M). A storeroom; warehouse. 

Almagra (S-M). Red ocher; ruddle. 

Almud (S-M). The twelfth part of a fanega. 

Alpine (F). Lofty mountain; very high. 

Alquifou (F). A lead ore, used for green varnish or 
pottery. 

Alquifal (F). Galena ore. 

Alquilar (S-M). To hire. 

Alta (S-M). The upper part. 

Alumina (L). Sesquioxide of aluminium, the chief 
consistent of clay. — 

Aluminium (L). A bluish-white metal, obtained from 
alumina, very light and strong. 

- Alumbre (S-M). Alum. 

Amalgam (L). Quicksilver, combined with gold or 
silver, so that its form is changed from a liquid 
to a solid cake. 

Amalgamating (A). The process of separating gold 
and silver from their ores by mixing them with 
mercury. 

Amass (A). To collect in a heap; to pile up. 

Amatista (S-M). Amethyst. 

Amethyst (G). A purple variety of rock-crystal. 

Amiafito (S-M). Amianthus. 

Amoldar (S-M). To mould. 

Amorphous (G). Without form. 

Amparo (S-M). Continued possession of a mine to 
secure title; keeping the necessary number of 
men at work in accordance with mining laws. 

Analysis (G). Separating constituent elements. 

Anchura (S-M). Roominess; width. 

Ancony (G). A bar of iron unwrought at the ends. 




s 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Angle-iron (A). Pieces of iron of an angular form, 
used for joining, at an angle, plates of tanks. 

Anguto (S-M). A corner; an angle. 

A 

Anhydrous (G). Without water of crystallization. 

Ante (A). Rubbish, containing little or no mineral. 

Anneal (F). To heat and then cool metals; temper¬ 
ing. 

Anorthite (G). A variety of lime-feldspar. 

Antholites (G). Fossil inflorescence. 

Antimony (L). A brittle white ore; metal. 

Aparejo (S-M). A pack-saddle; a set of harness; a 
block and fall; a table. 

Apartado (S-M). Works for separating silver and 
gold. 

Aperos (S-M). Utensils; materials; such as gun¬ 
powder, paper, fuse, etc., for blasting. 

Apex (A). The top of a hill, mountain, or vein that 
descends into the rock or earth. 

Apique (S-M). Digging downward in a vertical di¬ 
rection. 

Apolvillados (S-M). Rich minerals. 

Apuradores (S-M). Men who re-wash the earth from 
the tinas. 

Arborescent (L). Mineral of a leaf or twig-like form. 

Arch (A). Ground left unworked near a shaft. 

Archimedean Screw (G). A spiral screw, fitting close 
in a tube, for raising water or other liquids; 
sometimes for grain in elevator buildings. 

Arched (A). Tunnels or drifts in a mine, when 
built with stone or brick, are generally arched 
over. 

Arcilla (S-M). Clay. 

Arenilla (S-M). Fine sand. 

Argillaceous (G). Of clay-like character. 

Argentiferous (L). Rock or ore, or metal-bearing 
silver. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


9 


Arrastra (S-M). A mill for grinding ores; a crude 
contrivance, circular in form, where ores are 
ground to powder by attrition of heavy stones 
secured by ropes to a long pole, about mid-way, 
one end of which is fastened on a pivot in the cen¬ 
ter of the circle and the other end hauled around 
by hand or animal power. It is also employed in 
the amalgamation of gold and silver ores; is con¬ 
structed in various forms, and propelled by steam 
or water power. 

Arms (A). The braces connecting the hub of the 
fly-wheel with the rim of a steam engine. 

Arreador (S-M). Horse driver for mulacates. 

Arriero (S-M). A muleteer. 

Arroba (S-M). Twenty-five pounds; Spanish weight. 

Arroya (S-M). A ravine; water-worn. 

Arsenico (S-M). Arsenic. 

Asbesto (G). Asbestos. 

Asbestos (G). A mass of flaxy, fibrous crystals, in 
some hornblendic minerals. 

Aserrar (S-M). To saw. 

Asfalto (S-M). Asphaltum. 

Aslope (E-C). In a slanting position. 

Asphalt (G). A solid bitumen, produced by the 
agency of 'heat and pressure upon lignitic and 
coal-bearing strata; generally black, and more or 
less lustrous; used in paving streets. 

Assaying (A). Finding the percentage of a given 
metal in ore or bullion. 

Assessment (A). Amount levied on capital stock; 
amount of work required by the mining laws to 
be done on a mine annually to perfect and hold 
title. 

Asserrador (S-M). A sawyer. 

Astilero (S-M). Opening in the forest; pasture. 

Atacadero (S-M). A rammer. 

Atacador (S-M). Ramrod for tamping the charges 
in blasts. 

Atajo Abierto (S-M). An open cut in a mine; where 
it is worked like a quarry. 



10 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Atajador (S-M). A boy, hostler, who attends the 
mules, horses, burros, etc. 

Atarge (S-M). A water course of masonry. 

Atecas (S-M). Men who collect water in buckets, 
and fill skins in the shafts with mud and water, 
in order to pass it off by the shafts. 

Atisador (S-M). A man who attends the furnaces; 
a stoker. 

Attle (E-C). Waste rock matter. 

Attrition (A). A grinding or wearing down in par¬ 
ticles. 

Attierras (S-M). Rubbish in the mine retarding 
work. 

Audit Level (A). A horizontal excavation used as a 
drain for the mine. 

Audit (A). A drift or tunnel on a lode or vein. 

Audiencia (S-M). Principal tribunal of justice. 

Augite (G). Nearly allied to hornblende; a black or 
green mineral, found in lava. 

Augite (G). Composed of lime, sand and magnesia, 
with the oxide of iron or manganese. 

Aureus (L). An old Roman coin. 

Auriferous (L). Rock or ore that bears gold. 

Avalanche (F). A snowslide ; a descending mass 
from a high, steep mountain. 

Average Produce (A). The amount of coin value re¬ 
ceived as the yield of any number of tons of ore 
by mill run or smelting process, divided by the 
number of tons, gives the average value of the 
ore; after which the ores from the same mine are 
rated above or below the average, as they prove 
to be rich or poor. 

Aviado (S-M). The owner of a mine, with plenty of 
funds for working it. 

Aviador (S-M). The person who supplies funds for 
working a mine. 

Avio (S-M). Cash advanced for working mines. 

Avios (S-M). Tools; implements. 

Ayudante (S-M). An assistant. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


11 


Azarcon (S-M). Red lead. 

Azoguero (S-M). A person who superintends the 
process of amalgamation. 

Azogue en Caldo (S-M). Quicksilver. 

Azogueria (S-M). Storeroom for quicksilver. 

Azogue (S-M). Quicksilver; silver ore adapted for 
amalgamation. 

Azogue Ordinario (S-M). Ordinary ore for amalga¬ 
mation. 

Azogue Apolvillado (S-M). Best ore for amalgama¬ 
tion. 

Azogue Comun (S-M). Common ore for amalgama¬ 
tion. 

Azogue Razonable (S-M). Passable ore for amalga¬ 
mation. 

Azufre (S-M). Sulphur. 

Azurite (L). Blue copper ore. 



\ 


12 Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


B 

Babbler (E-C). A rubber-tongue gossiper. 

Batch of Ores (E-C). The quantity of ores sent to 
the surface by any gang of men. 

Back (A). That portion of a lode, or level, the high¬ 
est or the nearest to the level above. 

Back (A). The reverse side of the bedplate in en¬ 
gines with girder frames. 

Backwater (A). Water held back by a dam or turn¬ 
ing of a w'ater wheel. 

Bal (E-C). A term for a mine. 

Bank (A). The pit’s mouth at level. 

Banksman (A). Man who handles the buckets at 
the mouth of shaft. 

Bancos (S-M). Rocks intercepting the vein, causing 
it to take a different direction. , 

Bano (S-M). The last application of quicksilver to 
a torta. 

Barium (L). Metallic base of barytes. 

Bajo (S-M). The lower part; beneath. 

Barra (S-M). The equal shares into which the in¬ 
terest in a mine is divided—usually twenty-four; 
a bar; a crow. 

Bar Diggings (A). Washing on river bars for gold. 

Barriers (A). Unworked deposits left to prevent 
drain from mine to mine. 

Barrata de Laplata (S-M). A silver bar; 1,080 
ounces. 

Bar of Ground (A). A vein or ridge of different 
description of rock or earth, etc., from that in its 
vicinity. 

Barren Contact (A). A contact vein, or a place in 
the contact vein which has no mineral. 

Barrena (S-M). A boring drill used in blasting. 

Barrenero (S-M). A boy attendant with the boring 
tools. 




Connected with the Mining Industry. 


IS 


Barrenos (S-M). Holes made in the rock for blast¬ 
ing. 

Barreteros (S-M). Miners who work with picks, 
crowbars and wedges. 

Barro (S-M). Loam, clay, mud, etc. 

Baryta (L). A heavy spar; heaviest of earthy mat¬ 
ter. 

Barquina (S-M). A large furnace. 

Barquines (S-M). Forge; bellows. 

Basalto (S-M). Basalt; a grayish mineral, volcanic, 
a hard, dark looking rock. 

Base (A). The substance to which an acid is united. 

Base Bullion (A). Precious metals and lead mixed 
in bars or pigs, weighing 100 pounds or more, 
convenient for transportation. 

Base Metals (A). All metals inferior to gold, silver, 
platinum and mercury. 

Batea (S-M). A vessel used for rewashing. 

Bath Metal (A). An alloy of nine parts of zinc to 
thirty-two of copper. 

Beat Away (A). To excavate in hard ground. 

Bed (A). A horizontal vein of ore; a seam; a de¬ 
posit. 

Bed Rock (A). The formation underlying pay dirt. 

Bell Metal (A). A composition of copper, tin, zinc 
and antimony. 

Belly (E-C). The heavy side of an eccentric. 

Bend (A). Any indurated argillaceous substance; 
indurated clay, etc. 

Beneficiar (S-M). To dress ore, or extract metal 
from ore. 

Bessemer Steel (A). Steel made by passing a blast 
of air through molten cast iron, so as to get rid 
of the carbon and silicon, and then adding enough 
pure cast iron to supply carbon for the formation 
of steel; named for the inventor. 

Bigorneta (S-M). A small anvil. 

Bimetallism (A). A mixed standard of gold and sil¬ 
ver; the relative value of the metals to be deter¬ 
mined. 




14 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Bismuth (G). A metal, crystalline, reddish-white, 
brittle. 

Bitch, Son of (A). A fighting word in the West; a 
challenge. 

Bitumen (L). Includes liquid mineral substances— 
naphtha, petroleum—as well as the solid minerals, 
pitch, asphalt, mineral rubber, etc. 

Black Chalk (A). A kind of shale or clay-slate, con¬ 
taining much carbon. 

Black Jack (E-C). Zinc blende; sulphate of zinc. 

Blast Furnace (A). A furnace for smelting ores re¬ 
quiring a very high temperature, obtained by forc¬ 
ing a blast of air into the furnace from beneath. 

Blasting (A). Driving a hole into the rock with a 
steel drill, inserting explosives, confining it, and 
then setting fire, resulting in tearing the rocks into 
fragments. 

Blende-Blenda (D). A composition of iron, zinc, sul¬ 
phur, silex and water, a substance when scratched 
emits a phosphoric light. 

Blind Lode (A). A lode having no outcrop. 

I Bloom (A). A mass of crude iron from the puddling 
furnace, while undergoing its first hammering. 

Blossom Rock (A). Float ore, found upon the sur¬ 
face or near where lodes or ledges outcrop; de¬ 
tached fragments. 

Blow Out (A). An outcrop of widening vein matter. 

Blower (A). A smelting furnace. 

Bob (E-C). The engine beam. 

Boca (S-M). The first opening made in a mine; the 
pit; mouth; entrance, etc. 

Bochorno (S-M). Foul air; vapor; suffocating heat; 
want of ventilation. 

Bonnet (E-C). The term applies to the cover of the 
steam chest of an engine. 

Bonanza (S-M). Is good luck; a large body of ore; 
a rich strike; an abundant treasure. “He struck 
it rich; he has a bonanza.” 

Bonney (E-C). A bed of ore that communicates 
with no vein of ore. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


15 


-' Boom, or Bum (A). Ditch; a ditch or channel 
washed through to bed rock to expose lodes by 
water, accumulated at the head in a dam and sud¬ 
denly let loose. 

Boosy (E-C). Tipsy; merry from intoxicants. 

Bordeta (S-M). A small pillar. 

Bordes (S-M). A border of ore left untouched by 
previous workings. 

Borrasca (S-M). The mine that does not pay ex¬ 
penses; is in an unproductive state. 

Bosses (A). A rock studded with mineral, quartz, 
etc. 

Bota (S-M). A sack made of skins, in which water 
is lifted in the mines. 

Bota-chica (S-M). A small leather sack. 

Bota Grande (S-M). A sack made of two or more 
hides used to extract water; worked by whims. 

Bottoms (A). The lowest workings. 

Boulders (A). Large stones of various sizes; water- 
worn, round mass of rocks. 

Bouncer (A). A saloon rough, ready at all times for 
a drink or a fight. 

Brace (A). The woodwork over the mouth of a 
shaft, or winze, to which the hoisting tackle is 
fixed. 

Branch (A). A small vein which separates from the 
main lode. 

Brass (A). An alloy of copper and zinc. 

Brattice (E-C). Bulkhead. 

Brazing (A). Soldering with an alloy of brass and 
zinc. 

Breast (A). That part of the bedplate which is 
back of the crossheads in engines of the Corliss 
type. 

Breast (A). The face of a tunnel or drift. 

Breasting Ore (A). Taking ore from the face, 
breast or end of a tunnel. 

Breccia (I). Angular rocks cemented together, pre¬ 
senting colors. 




16 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Bristol Diamond (E-C). Bright crystals of colorless 
quartz. 

Bronce (S-M). Brass; gun metal; iron pyrites, etc. 

Bronze (A). An alloy of copper and tin; sometimes 
a little zinc and lead. 

Brood (E-C). Impurities mixed with the ore. 

Bryle (G). Indications of the presence of a lode, on 
or near the surface. 

Bucking Iron (E-C). The tool with which the ore is 
pulverized. 

Bucking Plate (E-C). An iron plate on which the ore 
is placed for being bucked. 

Buckers (E-C). Breakers of ore. 

Buddie (E-C). A contrivance by which the stamped 
tin is washed from its impurities. 

Buddling (E-C). Separating the ores from foreign 
substances. 

Bullion (A). Precious metals; gold and silver in 
bars, not coined. 

Bunk (D). A rudely constructed bed. 

Burilada (S-M). A chip taken from a lot of silver 
to decide its value. 

Burro (S-M). Of the ass family. 

Burro (S-M). A hand whim; a windlass. 

Buscones (S-M). Miners who work mines on shares; 
tributers. 

Buytron (S-M). Furnace for smelting ores. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


17 


C 

Caballo (S-M). A horse; a quantity of sterile 
mountain rock immersed in the rock. 

Cable’s Length (A). Seven hundred and twenty feet. 

Cache (F). Hiding place for food and valuables not 
wanted for the time being. 

Cage (A). The elevator used for hoisting and low¬ 
ering the ore cars, men and materials of a mine. 

--Cajon de Granze (S-M). The pit to receive the 
crushed ore. 

Cajon (S-M). Two montons of thirty-two quintals 
each. 

Calamine (L). Carbonate of zinc, adhering to the 
base of the furnace when smelted. 

Calaverite (L). Gold telluride, sometimes called 
“sylvanite.” 

Calcareous (L). Containing a large amount of lime. 

Calcite (L). Carbonate of lime, crystallized; calc- 
spar. 

" Calcium (A). Metallic base of lime. 

Calc-spar (L). Crystallized carbonate of lime. 

Calcine (L). To reduce to a powder. 

Calderas (S-M). Boilers. 

Cale-sinter (L). Stalactitic carbonate of lime. 

Cal e-tuff (E-C). A loose deposit of carbonate of 
lime; calcareous tufa. 

Calicheros (S-M). Lime burners. 

Calientes (S-M). Warm ores, containing sulphur- 
ets of iron and copper, and no calcareous matter. 

Caliche (S-M). Calcareous matters. 

Calx (L). The substance of a metal or mineral 
which remains after being subjected to violent 
heat. 

Canella (S-M). Used to cover the fire to charge for 
blasting. 







18 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Canada del Burro (S-M). Donkey canon. 

Canon (S-M). Canyon; a deep mountain gorge or 
ravine between high and steep ridges, worn by 
streams of water or mountain snowslides. 

Canos (S-M). Tubes; pipes. 

Cantero (S-M). A stone mason; quarryman. 

Cantera (S-M). A quarry. 

Cap Rock (A). Formation overlaying the ore vein; 
pinching out the mineral. 

Carbon (L). A nonmetallic element, pure as dia¬ 
mond and charcoal. 

Carbonate (L). A geological formation which car¬ 
ries silver ore and runs from ten to seventy-five 
per cent, in lead, together with dirt, sand, arsenic, 
and other matters. It varies in appearance. 

Carboniferous (L.) Containing coal. 

Carboneros (S-M). Makers and sellers of charcoal. 

Carga (S-M). Three hundred and eighty pounds, 
Spanish; a load for a pack animal; a charge for 
blasting. 

Carilleros (S-M). Ore carriers. 

Carpentero (S-M). A carpenter. 

Carretilla de Mano (S-M). A wheelbarrow. 

Carreta (S-M). A wagon or cart. 

- Carretero (S-M). A wagoner. 

Casa de Moneda (S-M). The mint. 

Cascajal (S-M). A gravel pit. 

Cascajo (S-M). Gravel; rubbish. 

Casco (S-M). A boiler used in hot amalgamation. 

Castina (S-M). Fluor or flux. 

Castido (S-M). The frame of the stamping machine. 

Catear (S-M). To search for new mines; a pros¬ 
pector. 

Cajoneros (S-M). Landers at the mouth of a shaft. 

Caja (S-M). Money chest; treasure. 

Cebar (S-M). To feed or supply a furnace with 
materials for smelting; add quicksilver, etc. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


19 


Cebo (S-M). A feed for an animal; priming a blast; 
adding the second lot of quicksilver to the torta. 

Cedazos (S-M). Sieves. 

Cerro (S-M). A mountain. 

Cestas (S-M). Baskets. 

Char (E-C). To work by the day. 

Cheek (E-C). The side wall of a vein. 

Cheeks (E-C). The edges of the crossheads in 
front of the guides of an engine. 

Chimney (A). A chimney-shaped body of ore, gen¬ 
erally perpendicular. 

Chispa (S-M). A precious gem of much beauty. 

Chloride (L). A compound of chlorine and silver. 

Chute (A). A incline channel through which the 
ore slides. 

Cinnabar (L). Sulphide of mercury, or ore in which 
quicksilver is found. 

Clack (E-C). The valve of a pump. 

Claim (A). A piece of land 25 to 300 feet wide and 
1,500 feet long, which the government sells to 
the person who finds mineral within its limits. 

Claro (S-M). An open space on the lode, from which 
ore has been taken. 

Cleavage (A). Is the tendency of crystals, rocks or 
ore to split in certain directions, but not in 
others. 

Clean-up (A). Collecting the gold from the flume 
or arrastra, in placer mining. 

Chlorides (A). A combination of chlorine and silver 
or other metals. 

Cliff (A). A steep, rocky ridge; a precipice. 

Coaster (E-C). One who picks ore from the dump 
or abandoned mines. 

Cob (E-C). Breaking the ores, in order to separate 
the good from the worthless. 

Cobalt (A). A brittle, reddish-gray metal. 

Cobre (S-M). Copper. 

Cobrizo (S-M). Inferior copper ore. 

Cojete (S-M). A cartridge for blasting. 






20 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Cofferdam (A). A box of timber or lumber made 
water-tight, placed in the bed of a river. 

Collado (S-M). A hill. 

Collar of a Shaft (A). The timber by which its up¬ 
per parts are kept from falling together. 

Color (A). Particles of gold in the pan in placer 
mining. If gold is found in the pan, “color” is 
found. 

Colorados (S-M). Ores showing a coloring of red 
oxide of iron. 

Comb (A). One of the layers of a banded vein 
studded with crystals. 

Comillo (S-M). A reverberatory furnace. 

Cement (A). Tough, compact gravel, gold-bearing. 

Commix (L). To unite in one mass. 

Compact (A). A body that can not be split. 

Compromiso (S-M). A private or joint stock under¬ 
taking. 

Concrete (L). A mixture of lime, sand and gravel, 
which dries in a solid mass. 

Conducta (S-M). An escort for a caravan transport¬ 
ing precious metals, etc. 

Conduit (P). A canal, ditch or water pipe for con¬ 
ducting fluids. 

Conflux (L). A junction of currents. 

Conglomerate (L). Pudding stone composed of 
gravel and pebbles connected together. 

Contact (A). A touching, meeting or junction of 
two different kinds of rock, as porphyry and slate. 

Contiguous (A). In close or actual contact. 

Convenio (S-M). A legal agreement. 

Copper (L). A reddish mineral, in much demand. 

Copola (S-M). A cupelling furnace. 

Corral (S-M). A strong pen or stockade for keep¬ 
ing cattle. 

Cord of Ore (E-C). One hundred and twenty-eight 
cubic feet of broken ore; about seven tons in 
quartz rock. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 21 


Core (A). Miners usually work but six hours at a 
time. The “forenoon core” is from 6 a. m. to 
noon; the “afternoon core” from noon to 6 p. m.; 
“night core” from 6 p. m. to midnight; “last core” 
from midnight to 6 a. m.; four shifts. 

Cortar las Sorgas (S-M). To cut the ropes; aban¬ 
don a mine. 

Corundum (L). The hardest known substance, next 
to the diamond. 

Costeaning (E-C). Discovering lodes by sinking pits 
in their vicinity, and driving transversely in their 
supposed direction. 

Cortadores (S-M). Wood choppers. 

Countermine (A). A gallery excavated to frustrate 
the use of another; to defeat secretly; a plot 
against a plot. 

Country (A). The ground traversed by a vein. 

Country Rock (A). The strata or rock through 
which the vein or lode traverses, usually value¬ 
less. 

Coyoting (A). Irregular hunting for surface mines. 

Cradle (A). A rocking contrivance for washing gold 
in placers. 

Crater (A). The mouth of a volcano. 

Creston (S-M). Outcroppings of a lode; a vein of 
ore showing on the surface. 

Crevice (A). A narrow opening, resulting from a 
split or crack; a fissure. 

Criadero (S-M). A locality where ores are thought 
to abound. 

Crib, or Curb (A). A circular frame of wood screwed 
together, as a foundation for bucking or pulver¬ 
izing ore in a shaft. 

Criba (S-M). Perforated leather, through which the 
crushed ore falls into a receiver. 

Cribbing (A). A timber or plank lining for a shaft; 
the confining of a wall-rock. 

Croppings (A). The rock that appears on the sur¬ 
face, indicating the presence of mineral. 




n 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Cross Course (A). A lode or vein which intersects 
or crosses a lode at various angles, and generally 
throws the main lode out of its regular course. 

Crosscut (A). A level driven at right angles to the 
direction of the lode. 

Cruces (S-M). A crosspiece of the arrastras or 
grinding mills. 

Crucero (S-M). A crosscut. 

Crushing (A). Grinding or pulverizing the ores 
without water. 

Cube (L). A body having six equal sides. 

Cubo (S-M). A bucket. 

Cuchara (S-M). A spoon or scraper used in blast¬ 
ing to remove the pulverized rock. 

Crucible (L). A pot used for melting mineral. 

Cueros (S-M). Skins of oxen, horses or cows. 

Cuerdo (S-M). A rope. 

Cuna (S-M). A wedge. 

Cupel (L). A small bone-ash cup used by assayers. 

Cupriferous (L). Containing copper. 

Cut (A). To intersect by driving, sinking or raising. 

Cyanide (G). A process of gold extraction. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


D 

Dagh (E-C). Hill; mountain. 

Dead Ground (A). A portion of the lode where there 
is no ore. 

Dean (E-C). The end of a level or crosscut. 

Debris (F). Sediment from mines, or mountain 
washings. 

Dendritical (L). Silver appearing like tree branches. 

Denudation (A). Rocks laid bare by running water, 
or other agencies. 

Deposit (A). Ore not confined to a lode. 

Denouncement (S-M). Spanish for location and rec¬ 
ord of a claim. 

Derecho (S-M). Right; straight. 

Desagues (S-M). Outlet of any description by which 
water is got rid of in a mine. 

Despensa (S-M). A storeroom for materials, tools, 
bullion, etc. 

Destajo (S-M). Piece or contract work; tut-work. 

Despueble (S-M). Failing to do the necessary work 
to hold a claim; abandoning the mine. 

Detritus (L). Waste rock; surfaces. 

Denucio (S-M). Denunciation; a formal application 
to the court of law to have a mine adjudged to 
the applicant for reasons of its not having been 
worked in accordance with the law, or its having 
been abandoned. 

Diggings (A). Name applied to placers being 
worked. \ 

Dike (A). A wall of rock or mineral thrown up¬ 
wards; an intrusion of mineral melted matter 
into rents or fissures of rocks. 

Diluvium (L). A deposit of superficial sand, loam, 
pebbles, gravel, etc. 

Dip (A). The slope, pitch or angle which a vein 
makes with the plane of the horizon. 





Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


M 


Disintegrated (A). Rock decomposed by atmos¬ 
pheric, aqueous and other agencies, reduced to 
sands, gravel, etc. 

Disseminated (A). Where the mineral is distrib¬ 
uted through the veinstones. 

Divining Rod (A). A method of prospecting for 
water or mineral by a stick of witch-hazel. The 
old prophet, Moses, made a big strike with his rod, 
but we fear it is now one of the lost arts. 

Dolomite (L). A crystalline magnesian carbonate of 
lime. 

Dowsing Rod (E-C). The hazel rod of divination, by 
which some persons pretend to discover lodes. 

Downcast (A). A shaft for ventifation by a descend¬ 
ing current of air. 

Dressers (A). Cleaners of ores. 

Drift (A). The excavation made for a road under¬ 
ground. 

Driving (A). Digging horizontally. 

Droppers (E-C). A branch when it leaves the main 
lode. 

Ductile (L). A mineral that is malleable and 
can be drawn out into wire or sheets. 

Dump (A). The pile of ore or debris taken from 
mines, or tailings from sluicing. 

Durns (E-C). A frame of timber with boards placed 
behind it to keep open the ground in shafts, tun¬ 
nels, levels, etc. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


25 


E 


Ecurie (F). A stable. 

El Dorado (S-M). Supposed to be a land of bound¬ 
less wealth. 

Elvan (E-C). Porphyry, stone, clay, etc. 

Embolo (S-M). A piston. 

En Bonanza (S-M). Yielding rich returns. 

End Lines (E-C). The lines bounding the ends of a 
claim. 

Energy (A). Activity, work, vigor, etc. 

- Ensajo (S-M). A trial. 

Ensaye (S-M). Assayer. 

Ensaye (S-M). Assay. 

Erosion (G). A valley, formed gradually by water; 

. 

a wearing away. 

Escaleras (S-M). Ladders made of poles, with 
notches cut in them for steps. 

Esmeralda (S-M). Emerald. 

Esmariel (S-M). Blende. 

Esmeril (S-M). Emery. 

Espato (S-M). Spar. 

Espato Fluor (S-M). Fluor spar. 

Espato Calizo (S-M). Calcareous spar. 

Espejuelo (S-M). Mica. 

Espeque (S-M). A lever. 

Estaca (S-M). A stake. 

Estado (S-M). A statement of account. 

Estano (S-M). Tin. 

Estanique (S-M). Pond; dam of water. 

Estoraque (S-M). Brown blende, sul'phureted zinc. 
Eureka (G). Any discovery. I have found it. 

Eye (E-C). Top of a shaft. 

Exploitation (S-M). The working of a mine; the 
amount of work done. 






26 


Glossary of lerms and Phrases 


F 

Face (A). End of level or tunnel against the ore or 
rock. 

Face Workings (A). The portion of the mine seam 
which is in process of removal. 

Factor (S-M). An agent for a principal. 

Fancy Stocks (A). Stocks of well known intrinsic 
value. 

Faenas (S-M). Common work. 

Fanegado (S-M). Nine-tenths of an English acre. 

Fanega (S-M). A dry measure of twelve celemins, 
or 1.599 of an English bushel. 

Fathom (E-C). Six feet square on the vein. 

Fault (A). The displacement of a lode by a cross 
vein. 

Feeder (A). A branch when it falls into the lode, 
and joins a larger one. 

Feldspato (S-M). Feldspar. 

Feet (A). Flanges by which an engine is tied. 

Feldspar (L). A very abundant mineral; silicate of 
alumina, with soda, potash, lime; of various col¬ 
ors. 

Ferruginous (L). Containing or partaking of iron. 

Filiform (L). Mineral of a thread-like form. 

Fissure Vein (A). A fissure or crack in the earth’s 
crust, filled with mineral matter. The two walls 
are always of the same geological formation. 

Fire Clay (A). A nearly pure silicate of alumina, 
able to retain its form against a great degree of 
heat. 

Flang (A). A two-pointed pick. 

Flete (S-M). Freight. 

Float (A). Loose rock or isolated masses of ore, or 
ore detached from the original formation. 

Fluor Spar (A). Useful as a flux in fusing iron ore. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


27 


Flume (A). Boxing or piping for conveying water. 

Fluccan (L). A half decomposed rock often found 
adjoining a vein. 

Floride (L). A combination of florine with a metal. 

Flux (A). The flow of the ore in the furnace of the 
smelter. To “flux” mineral is to get it so it will 
melt and run. It is obtained by adding to the ore 
certain proportions of other minerals, as of coke, 
coal or iron. 

Flookan (E-C). A cross vein composed of clay. 

Flu jo (S-M). Flux. 

Fondon (S-M). A furnace for smelting ores. 

Foot Wall (A). The layer of rock immediately un¬ 
der the vein. 

Forfeiture (A). A failure to comply with the laws 
prescribing the quantity of work. 

Fosforo (S-M). Phosphorus. 

Fosiles (S-M). Fossils. 

Fossils (L). Various petrifactions; organic remains. 

Fragua (S-M). Forge. 

Free Gold (A). Gold easily separated from the 
quartz or dirt. 

Frente (S-M). An extremity; an end. 

Frijoles (S-M). French beans; common food in 
some parts of the country. 

Frutos (S-M). Product, ore, mineral. 

Fuellos (S-M). A bellows. 

Fundicion (S-M). Smelting; smelting house. 

Funditor (S-M). A founder; a smelter. 








Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


28 


C 

Gad (E-C). A slim, pointed iron wedge to break 
away rock or mineral. 

Galena (A). Lead ore; sulphur and lead. 

Golpeador (S-M). A miner who works with the ham¬ 
mer or mallet in blasting. 

Galvanized Iron (A). Iron coated with zinc. 

Gamela (S-M). A large wooden bowl. 

Gangue (A). The substance inclosing and accom¬ 
panying the ore in a vein. 

Garnet (L). A common mineral in some metamor- 
phic rock. There are many varieties. 

Gash Vein (E-C). A vein wide above and narrow be¬ 
low. 

German Silver (A). An alloy of copper, zinc and 
nickel. 

Geode (G). A cavity studded around with crystals 
or mineral matter; a rounded stone containing 
such a cavity. 

Glacier (F). A stream of ice, which moves slowly 
down a mountain, and is continually fed from the 
snow fields above. 

Glist (E-C). Mica. 

Glossary (G). Vocabulary for explaining the con¬ 
tents of this book. 

Gneiss (D). Stratified rock, similar to some kinds 
of granite. 

Gossip (A). A person fond of telling tales; a rubber- 
tongue. 

Gouge (E-C). A clay streak found next to a fissure 
vein; a slip of ore vein. 

Granos de Oro (S-M). Grains of gold. 

Graphite (G). Black lead. 

Granzas (S-M). Poor ores. 

Grano (S-M). A grain. 

Granada (S-M). Garnet. 



I 


Connected with the Mining Industry. 2t) 

Granitoid (G). Resembling granite. 

G rani to (S-M). Granite. 

Grasas (S-M). Slag from the smelting furnace. 

Grass-Roots (A). Starting work from the surface— 
from the “grass-roots.” 

Gravel (F). Fine stones. 

Gravity (A). The tendency which all bodies in na¬ 
ture have to approach each other. 

Graystone (A). Trachyte. 

Greda (S-M). Chalk. 

Greta (S-M). Litharge; fuller’s earth. 

Grizzley (A). Bars set in a flume to strain out the 
large stones used in hydraulic mining. 

Grub Pile (A). Meal time; a meal waiting to be 
eaten. 

Grubstake (A). One party furnishing provisions and 
tools and the other doing the prospecting—divide 
“share and share alike.” 

Guixa (S-M). Quartz. 

Gulch (A). A ravine. 

Gulcinum (L). A metal in form of a grayish-black 
powder, which shows dark metallic luster by rub¬ 
bing. 

Gulph of Ore (E-C). A very large deposit of ore in a 
lode. 

Gun Metal (A). An alloy of nine parts of copper and 
one of tin. 

Gurt (E-C). A channel for water; a gutter. 

Gypsum (G). A native sulphate of iron. 

Gypsiferious (G). Of the nature of gypsum; plaster 
of paris; sulphate of lime. 








30 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


H 

Hacienda (S-M). Farm; estate; works for reducing 
ore. 

Hachas (S-M). Hatchets; axes. 

Hanging Wall (A). The layer of rock or w r all over a 
lode. 

Hard Carbonate (A). Carbonate ore so hard that it 
has to be blasted out, or picked out with much 
difficulty. 

Head (A). The circular plates that cover the cylin¬ 
der of a steam engine. 

Heading (A). The vein above the drift. 

Headings (A). In placer mining, the mass or gravel 
above the head of sluice. 

Heave (E-C). Dislocation of one ore lode by an¬ 
other, horizontally. 

Heel’d (E-C). To be; to be armed. 

Hechado (S-M). Dip of the lode. 

Hematite (G). An iron ore. 

Hiatus (L). A chasm; a gap. 

Hierro Labrado (S-M). Wrought iron. 

Hierro Colado (S-M). Cast iron. 

Hierro (S-M). Iron. 

High Explosives (A). Those of greater force than 
black powder. 

High Grade Ore (A). See low grade ore. 

Hilo (S-M). A small vein or thread of ore in a lode. 

Hilo de la Veta (S-M). Line or direction of the vein. 

Hogback (A). An almost perpendicular ridge of 
rocks. 

Hoja de Lata (S-M). Tin plate. 

Hajo de Laton (S-M). Sheet brass. 

Horno (S-M). A furnace. 

Horno de Magistral (S-M). Roasting stove for cop¬ 
per pyrites. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


31 


Hornblende (E-C). A silicate of lime, magnesia, 
iron and manganese, found in metamorphic rock. 

Hornstone (E-C). A variety of compact quartz, horn¬ 
like as to appearance. 

Horse (E-C). A mass of rock matter occurring in or 
between the branches of a vein. 

Horsepower (A). A power of a horse, or its equiva¬ 
lent; power which will raise 33,000 pounds avoir¬ 
dupois one foot per minute; used to express the 
power of a steam engine. 

Hot Blast (A). A current of heated air driven by 
blowers in a furnace. 

Huaco (S-M). A hollow. 

Hudge (E-C). A metal bucket used for hoisting. 

Hungry (E-C). Valueless ore; barren. 

Hyacinth (G). A red ferruginous quartz, of a blood- 
red color, sometimes of a reddish-orange, also 

brown. 

/ 

Hydraulic Mining (A). See, in back of book, “Mis¬ 
cellaneous Memorandums.” 




32 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


I v 

/ < 

Iceland Spar (E-C). Most transparent variety of 
calcspar, found in large crystalline masses in trap- 
rock. 

Inch of Water (A). About two and a half cubic feet 
per minute; the water that will run out of an 
opening one inch square, or section under head of 
six inches. 


Impetus (A). The effect produced by a moving body. 

Incline (A). A slanting shaft. 

« 

Indian Rubber (A). Caoutchouc, the native article, 
is an inhuman production; a gossiping tongue. 

Indurated (L). Any substance becoming hardened. 

Ingenios (S-M). Engines. 

Igneous (L). Rocks whose structure is attributable 
to heat, such as porphyry, etc. 

Ingot (E-C). A mass of gold, silver or other miner¬ 
als cast in a mold. 


In Place (A). A mineral is “in place” when it is 
where it geologically belongs. Mineral in the car¬ 
bonate vein is “in place,” but mineral found lying 
loose on the mountain side, in large rocks, for ex¬ 
ample, or lodged in the porphyry under ground, is 
not “in place.” A man may strike mineral, but 
if it is not “in place” he is apt to be deceived as 
to the extent of his discovery. 

Insolido (E-C). In the whole of a joint contract. 

Instruments (S-M). Tools; instruments. 

Intendente (S-M). Intendent. 


Interventor (S-M). Inspector; one who looks after 
the interests of mine owners, etc. 

Intersect (A). To meet a cut mutually; side of lines. 

Intrusive Rock (E-C). Rocks which have thrust 
themselves in sheet-like masses, vertical, oblique 
or flat, through or between sedimentary strata, 
affecting them on both sides, or above and be¬ 
neath. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


33 


Iridium (L). A rare white metal, generally associ¬ 
ated with osmium in connection with platinum. 

Iron Hat (A). Iron coloring in the outcrop of a lode. 

Ironstone (E-C). Highly ferruginous sandstone, abun¬ 
dant in clay, associated with vegetable remains, 

* 

as in coal measures. 


J 

Jaspe (S-M). Jasper. 

Jasper (S-M). An amorphous silica, red, brown, yel¬ 
low, green, often banded, the result of igneous 
and hydrothermal action of clays. 

Jig (A). A contrivance for concentrating ores by 
sieves. 

Jaws (E-C). The part of the crosshead which rests 
on the guide. There are upper and lower “jaws.” 

Jigger (E-C). Cleaner of ores. 

Jigging (E-C). Separating ores with a sieve. 

Jorango (S-M). A small basket, or blanket. 

Jornaleros (S-M). Day laborers. 

Jumper (A). A long lever worked by one person. 

Jumping a Claim (A). Relocating a claim on which 
the required work has been done; endeavoring to 
obtain possession of the claim, or land, which 
has been taken up and occupied by another. 







34 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


K 

Kames (G). Ridges of post-glacial gravel and sand 
at end of valley, like embankments. 

Kaoline (G). Porcelain clay; a dull, opaque clay, of 
various shades of white, arising from decomposi¬ 
tion of feldspar. 

Keesh (E-C). Flakes of carburet of iron on the sur¬ 
face of pig iron. 

Keil (E-C). A deep red peroxide of iron, used for 
marking. 

Kibble (E-C). A Cornish bucket for ore hoisting. 

Kimeridge Clay (E-C). A fossiliferous clay, contain¬ 
ing a bituminous shale called “kim coal.” 


L 

Lagging (E-C). The timbers over and on the side of 
a drift. 

Ladrillera (S-M). An iron or stone mold for melting 
silver, to form the barra. 

Ladrillas (S-M). Bricks. 

Lancha (S-M). A sort of hard freestone. 

Lapiz (S-M). Black lead. 

Lapiz Encarmado (S-M). Red chalk. 

Lariat (S-M). A rope made with thongs of rawhide, 
twisted or braided; a strong hemp rope, used for 
catching and picketing wild cattle and horses. It 
is also called “lasso.” 

Lamine (L). Thin sheets or scales of a mineral. 

La Plata (S-M). Silver. 

Laterite (L). Disintegrated gneiss, generally red, 
indurated, reddish clayish alluvium. 

Laton (S-M). Brass. 

Latten (E-C). Sheet brass; thin iron plates coated 
with tin. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


35 


Lava (L). Rock material which flows, melted from 
volcanoes; pumice; black lava. 

La Veta (S-M). The lode or lead. 

Layer (A). Stratum; bed; undergrown rock. 

Lazadores (S-M). Procurers of men to work in 
mines, drive cattle, etc. 

Lead (E-C). White lead is carbonate of lead, a com¬ 
mon pigment. Red lead is a compound of oxide 
and dioxide of lead. Sugar of lead is acetate of 
lead. 

Ledge (A). A lode or vein. 

Lena (S-M). Firewood. 

Level (A). A tunnel cut on the vein from main 
tunnel; a drift. 

Lift (E-C). Space between levels. 

Lignite (L). Wood coal; brown coal; wood fossil¬ 
ized, not so far converted into coal as to lose its 
woody texture; burns with a disagreeable odor. 

Limestone (A). All rocks of which the base is car¬ 
bonate of lime. 

Litharge (G). A brown-red oxide of lead. 

Lithium (G). A white metal, the lightest known. 

Libranza (S-M). A bill of exchange. 

Ligra (S-M). Flux. 

Little Giant (A). A movable nozzle attached to hy¬ 
draulic pipes. 

Lixiviation (L). A leaching process, by which alkali 
or saline matter is extracted from ores; leaching. 

Llano (S-M). A plain; flat ground. 

Llerada (S-M). Carriage; transport. 

Llerador (S-M). Carrier; conductor. 

Loadstone (A). An iron ore; a native magnet. 

Locate (A). To establish the possessory right to a 
mining claim, the property secured being desig¬ 
nated “claim” or “location.” 


Lodo (S-M). Mud. 




S 6 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Lode (A). Any zone or belt of mineralized rock ly¬ 
ing within the boundaries clearly separating it 
from the neighboring rock. It includes all de¬ 
posits of mineral found through a mineralized 
zone or belt, coming from the same source, im¬ 
pressed with the same forms, and appearing to 
have been created by the same process. 

Loma (S-M). Small table-lands on both sides of a 
river. 

Long Tom (E-C). A long trough or flume of lumber, 

with riffles for catching the gold; a running stream 

of water through the flume, in which is shoveled 

the mineral-bearing dirt. 

% 

Losa (S-M). A flat stone. 

Lost Levels (A). Levels which are not driven hori¬ 
zontally. 

Luck of Roaring Camp (A). Bret Harte’s girl baby. 

Low Grade Ore (A). Ore which runs below twenty 
ounces of silver to the ton, fifty per cent, of the 
ton being lead. Ore which runs more silver, with 
fifty or more per cent, of lead, is “high grade” 
ore, yet a high per cent, of lead is necessary to 
make it high grade ore. For example, ore with 
one hundred ounces of silver to the ton, but with 
no lead, would rank low grade, as the smelting 
w r ould cost so much as to leave little profit to the 
miner. 

Lumbrecera (S-M). An air shaft; an adit shaft. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


37 


Macizo (S-M). A solid, untouched part of the vein. 

Madera (S-M). Timber. 

Magnet (L). A loadstone; an ore that attracts iron. 

Malacate (S-M). A horse whim. 

Malacatero (S-M). A whim driver. 

Malachite (G). A beautiful copper ore, usually 
green. 

Malleable (L). Capable of being spread out by ham¬ 
mering. 

Manganese (L). A metal of whitish-gray color to a 
dusky white, very hard and difficult to fuse. 

Manantial (S-M). A spring of water. 

Mandon (S-M). Overseer; the boss. 

Mandadero (S-M). Errand boy. 

Manhole (A). A passageway between levels on 
workings. 

Manta (S-M). A blanket; horse cloth; ox hides used 
to transport ores. 

Manto (S-M). A bed, or circumscribed stratum. 

Marble (G). A limestone that will receive a fine 
polish, usually metamorphite. 

Marco (S-M). Eight ounces; equal to 3,552 grains, 
English. 

Marmol (S-M). Marble. 

Marl (E-C). A species of earth. 

Maquina (S-M). A machine. 

Maquinas de Vapor (S-M). Steam engine. 

Matrix (L). The vein ore found enclosed by barren 
rock or earth matter. 

Martriquila (S-M). A register for mines, etc. 

Maroma (S-M). A drag rope; hawser. 

Martillo (S-M). A hammer. 

Matte (D). Crude black copper, reduced but not 
purified from sulphur. 





38 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Maza (S-M). Stamp head; weight for pulverizing 
ores. 

Meat Earth (E-C). The vegetable mold. 

Mecha (S-M). A match or fuse. 

Mechanical Powers (A). The lever, incline plane, 
pulley, screw, wedge, wheel, and axle. 

Medida (S-M). A measure. 

Mejora (S-M). Improvement. 

Mesa (S-M). High table-land. 

Meson (S-M). A common inn, mostly frequented by 
muleteers. 

Mercury (G). Quicksilvef, a bright, white metal. 

Metal (A). Fusible substance by heat—iron, gold, 
silver, etc. 

Metallurgy (L). The science of testing, assaying or 
separating the metals from the ores. 

Metals Flomas (E-C). Ores impregnated with lead. 

Meteoric Iron (G). Metallic iron, as found in mete- 
orolites. 

Mill Run (A). A test of quality of ore after reduc¬ 
tion. 

Mill Hole (A). A hole in stall to pass down rock or 
mineral. 

Mica (L). A mineral which cleaves in thin, trans¬ 
parent sheets. 

Millrind (E-C). The iron placed in the center of a 
millstone to protect the hole from wearing out. 

Mine (A). A place where minerals are dug; a vein 
of ore. 

Miner’s Inch (of water). See “Miscellaneous.” 

Mine Expert (A). A person well versed in mines and 
mineralogy; often one, when sent by a capitalist 
—prospective purchaser—to examine and report 
on the value of a mine, reports favorable for the 
party paying the most money. 

Mineral (A). A substance not organic, existing on 
or in the earth, impregnateu with mineral sub¬ 
stances. 

Miscellaneous. See in back of book. 



Connected ivith the Mining Industry. 


39 


Mock Lead (E-C). Blende. 

Modelos (S-M). Models. 

Mojon (S-M). A landmark used to indicate bound¬ 
aries. 

Monteros (S-M). A mountain man. 

Montes (S-M). Foothills. 

Monton (S-M). A quantity of ore; a batch under the 
process of amalgamation. 

Moorstone (E-C). Granite. 

Moraine (F). Masses of rock and rubbish brought by 
glaciers down from the mountains. 

Mosaic Gold (A). Bisulphite of tin; a gold-colored 
powder, or an alloy of equal parts of copper and 
zinc. 

Moyle (E-C). A drill for cutting ditches. 

Mozo (S-M). A manservant. 

Muestra (S-M). Samples. 

Muleteer (E-C). A driver of mules. 

Mule Drivers (A). “Mule skinners.” 

Mun (E-C). Any fusible metal. 

Mundice (L). Iron pyrites. 






40 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


N 

Natron (G). Native carbonate of soda, 

Nicolo (S-M). Nickel. 

Nickel (A). A brilliant white metal, strongly mag¬ 
netic; base copper. 

Nigger-Ashlar (E-C). A mode of dressing stone, in 
which the face is left rough. 

Nitro (G). Niter. 

Nivel (S-M). Level. 

Nodules (L). A rounded mineral mass of irregular 
shape. 

Nogo, or Nays (E-C). Supports for the, roof of a 
mine. 

No Sabe (Savvey) (S-M). Don’t understand. 

Noria (S-M). An endless chain, with buckets, for 
drawing water. 

Nuggets (A). Large lumps of gold found in gold 
placer diggings; are water-worn, 

( 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


41 


O 

Obsidian (L). A native glass, volcanic, more or less 
feldspathic, of various colors. 

Ochres (G). Clays colored with oxide of iron. 

Opal (L). A stone of changeable color. 

Open Cut (A). Not covered; working from the sur¬ 
face. 

Operator (A). Working a mine as owner or lessee. 

Onyx (G). A precious stone; many colors. 

Ore (E-C). A native mineral; metal. 

Ore Drag (E-C). A drag made of green oxhides for 
bringing ore down the mountains on snow. The 
ore is sewed up in sacks of 100 pounds each, then 
placed on the hide, which has loops around the 
edge, and when the desired number of sacks are 
in position a rope is run through the loops and 
drawn taut, with the hair of the skin outwards. 
A brake of iron, in the shape of a horseshoe, with 
teeth that drag through the snow to hold back, is 
hitched to the tail of the hide and a mule to the 
head. The driver stands on the hide, but when 
the grade is too heavy he stands on the horseshoe, 
his weight regulating the speed. 

Ore Reserves (A). Ore bodies left for shipping. 

Outcrop (A). That portion of a vein appearing on 
the surface. 

Outfit (A). Tools, etc., needed in the business;, pro¬ 
visions, etc. 

Output (A). The total product of a mine. 

Oxide (G). A compound of oxygen with any other 
single element. 



42 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


P 

Pacos (S-M). Earthy ores; oxide of iron, mixed with 
various ores of silver. 

Paito (S-M). A space where ore is trodden by horses 
or mules, for mixing and amalgamating. 

Paja (S-M). Straw. 

Pala (S-M). A wooden shovel. 

Palanca (S-M). A lever. 

Palmo (S-M). Spanish yard. 

Panizo (S-M). Hornstone. 

Pan, or Panning (A). To wash the dirt from the free 
gold with a pan. The pan is similar to the or¬ 
dinary milk pan, of sheet iron. 

Parado (S-M). A relief, or change of men, horses 
or mules; a shift. 

Parcinera (S-M). A partner. 

Pare (S-M). Gang or party of men. 

Parihuela (S-M). A letter. 

Pard (A). An abbreviation of partner. 

Peso (S-M). A dollar. 

Patch (E-C). A small placer claim. 

Peacock Ore (A). Ore or mineral of beautiful 
color. 

Pay Dirt (A). Auriferous earth, rich enough to pay 
the cost of extracting the metal. 

Pay Streak (A). That seam in crevice containing 
the mineral. 

Pay Rock (A). Rock quartz that will pay for min¬ 
ing. 

Pearl Spar (A). Brown spar; a magnesian carbon¬ 
ate of lime, colored by the oxide of lime or man¬ 
ganese. 

Pegador (S-M). Men who light the fuse or matches 
in blasting. 




Connected with the Mining Industry. 


43 


Pella (S-M). Silver, when all the quicksilver has 
been pressed out, except that portion which can 
only be separated by distillation. 

Peltre (S-M). Pewter. 

Peones (S-M). Native laborers, who are held in 
bondage for debts they are working out. 

Pepenado (S-M). Cleaned ore. 

Pepenadores (S-M). Cleaners, cobbers and classers 
of the ores. 

Peritos (S-M). Practical persons selected for arbi¬ 
trators to decide questions of right, in cases of 
disputes. 

Petering (A). Ore giving out; “petering out.” 

Pez (S-M). Pitch/ 

Piazza (I). Slate. 

Pico (S-M). A miner’s pick. 

Piedra Iman (S-M). Loadstone. 

Piedra (S-M). Stone. 

Piedra Podrida (S-M). Rotten stone. 

Piedra Cornea (S-M). Hornstone. 

Piedra Pomez (S-M). Pumice stone. 

Pig (A). Metal extracted from the ore. 

Pilgrim (E-C). Fresh arrivals from foreign parts; a 
greenhorn, tenderfoot, etc. 

Pina (S-M). Amalgam. 

Pinch-out (A). An ore vein lost by the coming to¬ 
gether of the wall rock on each side of it; “pinch¬ 
ing the vein.” 

Piping (A). A term used in hydraulic mining; dis¬ 
charging water through a hose nozzle. 

Pit (A). A superficial shaft. 

Pitch (A). The dip of the ore vein. 

Pyrites (L). Sulphuret of iron. 

Placer (S-M). A gravelly place where gold is found. 

Plancha (S-M). Pigs of lead. 

Plant (A). Manufacturing works of all kinds, rail¬ 
road companies, machinery, tools, etc. 

Plata (S-M). Silver. 

Platinum (A). A grayish-white metal. 



44 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Pleito (S-M). A lawsuit. 

Plomo (S-M). Lead. 

Plumbago (L). Black lead; a form of carbon. 

Pocket (A). A rich spot in a vein or deposit; some¬ 
times a mine contains only a few pockets of pay¬ 
ing mineral, then the mine is called a “pocket 
mine.” 

Polvora (S-M). Gunpowder. 

Polvo (S-M). Dust. 

Polvillones (S-M). Rich ores. 

Poncho (S-M). A cloak worn by Spanish-Americans, 
like a blanket, having in the middle a hole for the 
head. 

Pone (A). Indian meal made into dough and baked. 

Porfido (S-M). Porphyry. 

Porphyry (G). A rock consisting of a compact base, 
through which crystals of feldspar are dissemi¬ 
nated. 

Precipitated (A). Cast or thrown down as a sedi¬ 
ment. 

Presa (S-M). A dam. 

Primary Rock (E-C). Consists of the various kinds 
of quartz, slate, granite, serpentine and gneiss. 

Prime Movers (A). Water wheels, steam engines, 
windmills, etc. 

Prince Metal (E-C). An alloy, composed of three 
parts of copper to one of zinc, in imitation of gold. 

Prit (E-C). A solid piece of virgin metal, or the but¬ 
ton from an assay. 

Promoter (A). One who makes a business of selling, 
property. 

Prospect (A). Indications of rich mineral; a vein 
of ore that has the appearance of containing min¬ 
erals that are valuable; they may be of any kind 
—gold, silver, copper, etc. 

Prospecting (A). Is hunting for mineral lodes, 
placers, or other valuables, on the plains or in the 
mountains. 

'-Protocola (S-M). Minutes. 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


45 


Pudding Stone (A). A coarse sandstone, composed 
of pebbles; flints cemented together. 

Puddling (A). Melting cast iron in a reverberatory 
furnace and stirring it, to get rid of the carbon in 
making wrought iron. 

Pulgada (S-M). An inch. 

Pulp (A). Pulverized ore in the lixiviation process. 

Pulque (S-M). Wine made from aloes; the common 
drink in Mexico. 

Pulverize (A). To reduce to powder. 

Pyrites (L). A combination of sulphur with iron, 
copper, cobalt, or nickel. 


Q 

Quartz (L). A mineral composed of pure silica; 
rock crystal. 

Quartzite (E-C). A granular variety of quartz; sand¬ 
stones altered by pressure and heat assume the 
aspect of quartz; metamorphic. 

Queen's Metal (E-C). An alloy of nine parts of tin 
and one of antimony, of bismuth and of lead. 

Quien Sabe (Kin Savvey) (S-M). Who knows? or. 
Do you understand? 

Quicksand (A). Unsolid sand, mixed with water; 
such as will not support a man’s weight. 



46 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


R 

Raise (A). A winze shaft worked from below. 

Ravine (L). Long hollow between hills. 

Reducing (A). Separating from foreign substances; 
the reduction of ores consists in extracting from 
them the metals they contain. 

Reef (A). A lode or ledge. 

Refractory Ore (A). Ore of difficult reduction or ex¬ 
traction. 

Reniform (L). A kidney-shaped ore. 

Reticulated (A). Ore resembling network. 

Riffles (A). Cross slats in a sluice, a few inches 
apart, where the gold settles. 

Roasting (A). Heating the ore so as to drive off the 
volatile parts, the sulphur. 

Rocker (A). A cradle-shaped device for washing 
ores. 

Rock Oil (E-C). Petroleum oil. 

Rock Salt (E-C). Common salt; chloride of sodium 
in rock masses. 

Roe Stone (E-C). Oolite. 

Roof (E-C). A rock stratum over the vein. 

Royalty (A). The profit in leasing a mine. 

Ruse Contre Ruse (F). Trick for trick; diamond cut 
diamond. 



i 


Connected with the Mining Industry. 47 


S 

Sable Iron (E-C). A superior kind of Russian iron. 

Saca (S-M). The ore obtained from a mine in a 
given length of time. 

Sala (S-M). The principal room of a hacienda or 
any other building. 

Salitre (S-M). Saltpeter. 

Sal Mineral (S-M). Mineral salt for amalgamation. 

Sal (S-M). Salt. 

Salting a Mine (A). Placing mineral or ore in bar¬ 
ren places to swindle. 

Sandstone (A). A stone composed of grains of 
quartz. 

Sapphire (G). A precious stone. 

Sardonyx (G). A precious stone of a reddish-yellow 
color. 

Scarp (E-C). The interior slope of a ditch. 

Schist (G). Rocks having a slaty structure; fissile 
rocks; mica schist. 

Schlich (E-C). The ore of a metal, especially gold, 
pulverized and prepared for further working. 

Seam (A). A bed, as distinguished from a vein. 

Seam (E-C). A horse load. 

Scovan Lode (E-C). A lode having no oxide of iron 
and quartz on its back or near the surface. 

Sebo (S-M). Tallow or suet used for machinery, etc. 

Selvage (E-C). A thin band of earth matter be¬ 
tween the walls and vein. 

Serape (S-M). The blanket dress of miners. 

Shaft (A). A vertical or inclined excavation for the 
purpose of prospecting or working mines. 

Shelf (A). The firm rock. 

Sheave (E-C). The pulley over which the whim rope 
passes. 

Shift (A). Changing one set of miners for another; 
six and eight-hour shifts. 





48 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Sicca (E-C). Rupee. 

Side Lines (A). The lines which bound the sides of 
a claim. 

Sierras (S-M). Saws; a chain of mountains. 

Si lex (L). The earth of flints; the characteristic of 
rock crystal; quartz and flint. 

Silica (L). A pure silex. 

Si I la (S-M). A kind of saddle, which passes over 
men’s shoulders to protect them in carrying ores, 
usually leather. 

Silver Glance (A). A silver ore; when pure, carries 
eighty-seven per pent, of silver and thirteen per 
cent, sulphur. 

Slag (A). Scum, dross, the excrement of a metal; 
vitrified cinders; waste from smelters. 

Skip (E-C). A hoisting bucket running on grooves, 
guides or cables. 

Slag (A). Dross of metals. 

Slate (A). A rock that can be split in thin plates. 

Slide (E-C). A vein of clay, which, intersecting a 
lode, occasions a vertical dislocation. 

Slide (A). A mass of loose rock enveloping either 
lode or country. 

Slickenside (E-C). A smooth, polished surface or 
wall, caused by friction. 

Slimes (A). Mud containing metallic ore. 

Slimes (A). The finest of the crushed ore and 
gangue from mills. 

Slope (A). Driving an incline on the ore vein. 

Sluices (A). Boxes or troughs through which gold- 
bearing gravel is washed. 

Smelting (A). Reducing the ore in furnaces to met¬ 
als. 

Sobrante (S-M). Profits; surplus residue after ex¬ 
penses. 

Soft Carbonate (A). Silver-bearing mineral so soft 
that it can be readily taken out with a pick and 
shovel. It is usually sand impregnated with min¬ 
eral, the mineral having been carbonated and oxi¬ 
dized. Soft carbonates are usually richer in sil¬ 
ver than hard carbonates. 




Connected with the Mining Industry. 


49 


* 


Sollar (S-M). A small platform at the end of a cer¬ 
tain number of ladders. 

Solvent (A). A fluid which dissolves various sub¬ 
stances. 

v 

Soplete (S-M). A blowpipe. 

Sowbelly (A). Bacon; hog sides. 

Spalling (E-C). Baking the ore into small pieces. 

Specimen (A). A sample of anything, ore, etc. 

s 

Spur (A). Range of hills or mountains jutting out 
at right angles to the principal range. 

Stalactite (L). A cone of carbonate of lime, hang¬ 
ing like an icicle in a cavern; dripping of water 
from a roof of carbonate of lime. 

Stamps (A). A weighted vertical shaft, operated by 
cam machinery, for crushing ores. 

Strata (L). A series of beds of rock. 

Stream Tin (E-C). Tin ore found in the form of 
pebbles. 

Streamers (E-C). Persons who work in search of 

stream tin. 

* 

Stope (A). A body or column of mineral left by run¬ 
ning drifts about it. 

Stoping (A). The act of breaking down a stope and 
excavating it with a pick. 

Strike (A). A find; a valuable mineral development 
made in an unexpected manner. 

Stull (E-C). Platforms of timbers between levels for 
strengthening the mine by supporting the walls, 
and for storing ore and depositing wall rock and 
waste material upon. 

Stull Timbers (E-C). The large timbers placed 
across the vein or lode from one wall to another 
to support the lagging upon which the ore or 
waste is placed. 

Substratum (L). A stratum under something; rock 
or earth. 

Sucino (S-M). Amber. 

Sulphur (L). An inflammable yellow mineral; brim¬ 
stone. 






50 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Sump (E-C). A pit; the bottom of the engine shaft; 
a place for collecting water. 

Superficial Deposits (A). Are composed of such 
metals and ores as lie on or near the surface, 
intermixed with soil, sand, gravel, etc.; they are 
also called washings or stream works, these met¬ 
als and ores being gathered by washing with 
water; much gold, all platina, and some tin and 
cinnabar are collected in this manner. 

Sulphuret (L). Combination of sulphur with a me¬ 
tallic, earthy or alkaline base. 

Sylvanite (L). A combination of gold, silver and tel¬ 
lurium, in fine gray and silver crystals. 

Syenite (L). A rock resembling granite. 


\ 



Connected with the Mining Industry. 


51 


T 

Tackle (E-C). Windlass, rope and kibble. 

Tahona- (S-M). A mill of small horizontal stones. 

Tailings (A). The auriferous earth that has once 
been washed and deprived of the greater portion 
of the gold it contained. 

Tajadera (S-M). Wedge to break the tinus. 

Tajamanil (S-M). Shingle for roofing. 

Tajo Abierto (S-M). An open cut. 

Tajo (S-M). A cut. 

Talegra (S-M). A bag of 1,000 dollars. 

Tamping (A). The material used to confine gun¬ 
powder in blasting. 

Tanda-tarea (S-M). A task; compulsory. 

Tapaojos (S-M). Bandage for the eyes, either men 
or mules. 

Telegraph (A). A high and narrow flume, used in 
hydraulic mining. 

Telurio (S-M). Tellurium. 

Tellurium (L). A bright gray metal. 

Tenates (S-M). Sacks, bags of hides, leather, or 
cloth. 

Tenderfoot (A). A novice in the art of mining; a 
new beginner. 

Tentadura (S-M). An assay or trial. 

Testera (S-M). A dike interrupting the course of 
a lode. 

Test Lead (E-C). Lead refined and granulated for 
assayers. 

Ticketings (A). The sale of ore. 

Tierra Pesada (S-M). Barytes. 

Tienda de Vaya (S-M). A store at which miners ob¬ 
tain weekly credit. 

Tina (S-M). A vat, or jar. 

Tin (E-C). A white metal; the tinware in use con¬ 
sists of sheet iron coated with tin. 



52 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases \ 


Tincal (S-M). Crude borax. 

Timbering (A). Placing timbers in a mine to pre¬ 
vent caving of roof. 

Tiro (S-M). A shaft. 

Tiro de IViulas (S-M). A team of mules. 

Topaz (L). A yellowish gem. 

Tornero (S-M). A wooden vat. 

Torta (S-M). A cake of ore from amalgamation pro¬ 
cess; a flat mass of mineral. 

Tortilla (S-M). A thin, unleavened cake of corn- 
meal. 

Tossing (E-C). Suspending the ores in water by vio¬ 
lent agitation, the lighter and worthless matter 
remaining uppermost. 

Trapiche (S-M)., Grinding mill. 

Trachytes (F). A rough-feeling, grayish variety of 
lava, consisting of entangled crystals of feldspar. 

Trap Rocks (A). Step-like masses of volcanic lava 
rock—crystalline, basaltic, clinkstone, greenstone, 
feldstones, trap tuffs. 

Treasure (A). Wealth, accumulated abundance. 

Trementina (S-M). Turpentine. 

Trench (A). To dig a ditch; a ditch. 

Tributers (E-C). Miners who work a piece of ground 
or lode and pay a royalty to the owners, but hold 
no title to the property. 

Triangulos (S-M). The cogs of a stamp. 

Tribunal de Mineria (S-M). A mining tribunal. 

Trio General (S-M). The main shaft. 

Triturate (A). To grind or pulverize. 

Trunking (A). Extracting ores from the slimes. 

Tummals (A). A great quantity; a heap; a pile. 

Tufa (S-M). Volcanic sandstone; soft, porous rock; 
calcareous. 

Tunnel (A). A level, driven at right angles to the 
vein, which its object is to reach. 

Turba (S-M). Turf, peat. 

Turbit (L). Mineral; yellow oxide; a sulphuret of 
mercury. 




Connected with the Mining Industry. 


53 


Turning House (E-C). The first cutting on the lode 
after it is cut in a crosscut. 

Tut-work (E-C). Piece work; given price per yard 
or foot. 

Tying (E-C). Washing. 


U 

Undermine (A). To excavate the earth beneath; 
to injure in an underhanded way. 

Upcast (E-C). A shaft for ventilating. 

Unfold (E-C). To disclose mineral. 

Upset Price (A). In auctions, the price at which 
goods are started by the auctioneer and under 
which they can not be sold. 

Utahcerite (A). A new mineral wax or paraffin, 
found in Utah, similar to ozocerite. 


I 


< 



54 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


V 


V Flume (A). See under “Miscellaneous." 



Valley Tan (in Utah). Native whisky. 

Vallecito (S-M). Little valley. 

Vara (S-M). A Spanish yard; thirty-three inches, 
English. 

Vein (A). Aggregations of mineral matter in fis¬ 
sures of rocks. 

Velador (S-M). A watchman; in charge day and 
night. 

Velas (S-M). Candles. 

Velocity (A). Rate of motion. 

Vena (S-M). Small branches of the main vein. 

Veta Madre (S-M). The mother or principal vein. 

Vidrio (S-M). Glass. 

Vigas (S-M). Beams; split or sawed timber. 

Vitreous (L). Having the appearance of glass. 

Vitrioio (S-M). Vitriol. 

Vitriolo Azul (S-M). Blue vitriol. 

Vitrioio Elanco (S-M). White vitriol. 

Vitriolo Verde (S-M). Green vitriol, or copperas. 

Voladiras (S-M). Grinding stones at the arrastras. 

Volcanic Rock (A). Lava, trachyte, basalt lava, ob¬ 
sidian, pumice, scoria, tufa—composed mostly of 
augite and feldspar. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


55 


W 

Walls (A). The side next to the lode. 

Wash (A). The first geological formation, being 
composed of earth, sand, gravel and other min¬ 
erals “washed” down from the mountains during 
a long series of ages. 

Whim (A). A machine for raising ores and refuse. 

Windlass (A). A wheel arranged to raise weights. 

Winze (D). A shaft sunk from one level to the 
other. 


X 

Xabon (S-M). Soap; a peculiar description of ore. 


Y 

Yesca (S-M). Tinder, or touchwood. 
Yeso (S-M). Sulphur of lime. 
Yungue (S-M). An anvil. 


Z 

Zacate (S-M). Maize, straw or grass, given to the 
work mules or animals. 

Zanca (S-M). A ditch. 

Zawn (E-C). A cavern. 

Zinc (A). A whitish metal. 

Zurron (S-M). Sacks made of leather; cochineal is 
packed in zirrones. 



UNION PACIFIC 


RANCH LAND 


$1.25 PER ACRE 

1-1 Oth DOWN. « « 10 YEARS’ CREDIT 

5,000,000 ACRES 


Great 

Bargains 


50 cents to $1.25 per acre in Wyoming. 
$1.00 to $1.25 per acre in Colorado. 

$1.50 to $3.50 per acre in Western Kansas 
and Nebraska. 


LAND WITHIN 25 MILES OF DENVER FOR SALE 
AT $1.25 PER ACRE. 


Have You Ever Considered the Profits in the Cattle and Sheep Business? 

C. E. WANTLAND, Street, 1 DENVER^COLol 


$2 A YEAR IN ADVANCE AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY 



CIRCULATES AMONG MINING MEN, OPERATORS AND INVESTORS 
THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. 


9 Toltec Building, 17th and Stout Streets, DENVER, COLORADO, U. S. A. 

P. A. LEONARD, MANAGER. 


Terms and Phrases Connected With the Mining Industry 

PRICE, $1.00, POSTPAID 

Will be given as a premium to all new subscribers to “Ores and 
Metals” who send $2 with order, and to all old subscribers who 
pay to date and one year in addition. Address all orders and 
make remittances payable to P. A. Leonard, Manager. 








MISCELLANEOUS MEMORANDUMS. 


A ton of pure gold is valued at.$602,799.20 

A ton of pure silver is valued at. 37,704.84 


Alloy by Combination— 

Zinc and copper make bell metal. 

Copper and tin make bronze metal. 

Tin, copper, antimony and bismuth make britan- 
nia metal. 

Copper and tin make cannon metal. 

Copper, tin, zinc and lead make bronze. 

Copper and zinc make Dutch gold. 

Copper, nickel and zinc, with a little iron and tin, 
make German silver. 

Gold and copper make standard gold. 

Certain proportions of copper and zinc make 
mosaic gold. 

Tin and lead make pewter. 

Lead and a little arsenic make sheet metal. 

Silver and copper make standard silver. 

Tin and lead make solder. 

> 

Lead and antimony make type metal. 

Copper and arsenic make white copper. 


A cubic foot of fresh water weighs sixty-two and 
one-half pounds, and contains seven and one-half 
United States gallons. Thirty-six cubic feet weigh 
one ton. Thirty-five feet of salt water is the same 
weight. The specific gravity of different seas vary— 
that of the Baltic sea being 1015; Mediterranean, 
1029; Irish channel, 1028; Dead sea, 1240. 








58 Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Boiling Points of Various Liquids Under Pressure 

of One Atmosphere. 

Deg. Fah. 

Alcohol .173 

Ammonia .140 

Benzine.176 

Bromine .145 

Chloroform .140 

Linseed oil . 557 

Mercury .648 

Nitric acid .248 

Oil of turpentine .315 

Phosphorus .554 

Sea water.213 

Saturated brine.216 

Sulphur.570 

Sulphuric acid .590 

Sulphuric ether .100 

Sulphuric of carbon.118 

Water .212 

Wood spirits.150 






















Connected with the Mining Industry. 


59 


Temperature at Which Different Substances Become 

Combustible and Ignite Without a Spark of 

Either Electricity or Fire. 

Deg. Fah. 

Bisulphide of carbon.300 

Charcoal, made by distilling wood at 500 degrees. .660 

Charcoal, made at 600 degrees.700 

Charcoal, the most inflammable willow used for 

gunpowder .580 

Equal parts chlorate of potash and sulphur.395 

Fulminate of mercury.392 

Fulminating powder.374 

Gunpowder .563 

Gun cotton .428 

Nitroglycerine .494 

Oak—dry wood .900 

Phosphorus .140 

Picrate powder for cannon.716 

Picrate powder for muskets.576 

Picrate powder for torpedoes.570 

Picrate of mercury—iron or lead.565 

Rifle powder.550 

Steam, at 240 pressure per square inch.403 

Sulphur.400 

Very dry pine wood 


800 























60 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


The Standard Units Adopted in United States and 

England Are: 

Of capacity, the cubic foot, pint and gallon. Of 
heat, the amount required to raise one pound of 
water 1 degree Fahrenheit, or from 32 degrees to 33 
degrees Fahrenheit. Of length, the inch, foot and 
yard. Of pressure, the atmosphere at sea level with 
the barometer at thirty inches of mercury. Of sur¬ 
face, the square foot, yard and inch. Of time, 
the second, minute and hour—the same in all 
civilized countries. Of duration, the twenty-fourth 
part of a solar day, called an hour, which contains 
sixty minutes, each of which is divided into sixty 
seconds. Of weight, is the pound. The work is the 
foot-pound, which is the force necessary to raise one 
pound one foot, of velocity, in case of falling bodies, 
projectiles, etc., is expressed in feet per second; and 
in light and electricity, in miles, etc.—slightly differ¬ 
ent in different countries. 



Connected ivith the Mining Industry. 61 


Melting Points of Metals. 

Name. Deg. Fah. 

Alloy—3 lead, 2 tin, 5 bismuth. .200 

Alloy—1 tin, 1 lead. 370-460 

Aluminium . 1.160 

Aluminium bronze. 1.700 

Antimony . .810 

Bismuth. .518 

Brass . 1.650 

Bronze . 1.690 

Copper . 2.000 

Gold—coin . 2.156 

Iron—cast (white). 2.075 

Iron—cast (gray). 2.264 

Iron—wrought .3.000-3.500 

Lead . .630 

Magnesium . 1.200 

Mercury. —36 

Platinum . 3.500 

Steel .2.370-2.550 

Silver . 1.830 

Sulphur . .239 

Tin . .455 

Wax—white . 154 

Zinc . -793 




























62 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Weight and Specific Gravity of Various Metals. 


NAME 

Weight per Weight per 
Cubic Foot, Cubic Inch, 
Pounds Pounds 

Specific 

Gravity 

Aluminium . 

.166 

.096 

2.07 

Antimony . 

.419 

.242 

6.72 

Bismuth. 

.613 

.353 

9.822 

Brass—cast . 

.524 

3. 

8.4 

Bronze . 

.534 

.308 

8.561 

Copper—cast. 

.537 

.31 

8.607 

Copper wire. 

.555 

.32 

8.9 

Gold—24 karat. 

.1.208 

.697 

19.361 

Gold—standard. 

.1.106 

.638 

17.724 

Gun metal. 

.528 

.304 

8.459 

Zinc . 

.437 

.252 

7. 

Iron—cast. 

.450 

.26 

7.21 

Iron—wrought . 

.485 

.28 

7.78 

Lead—cast . 

.708 

.408 

11.36 

Lead—rolled . 

.711 

.41 

11.41 

Mercury. 

.845 

.489 

13.596 

Platinum. 

.1.344 

.775 

21.531 

Platinum—sheet . 

.1.436 

.828 

23. 

Silver—pure. 

.654 

.377 

10.474 

Silver—standard . 

.644 

.371 

10.312 

Steel . 

.490 

.284 

7.85 

Tin—cast . 

.455 

.262 

7.291 

























Values of Foreign Coins and Currencies. 

A—Countries with fixed currencies. 

The following official (United States treasury) valuations of foreign coins do not include “rates of 


Connected with the Mining Industry 


63 


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Values of Foreign Coins and Currencies—Continued. 


64 


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Connected with the Mining Industry 


65 


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he silver standard prevailed in Austria-Hungary up to 1892. The law of August 2 of that year established the gold standard, 
'he Egyptian pound became fixed in value at $4,943 in 1887. 

’he Netherlands florin fluctuated xip to the year 1880, when it became fixed at 40.2 cents. 





































































66 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


I 

Value of Foreign Coins and Currencies—Concluded. 


C—Valuations of fluctuating currencies. 


Monetary Unit 


1898. 


1899. 


1900. 


1901. 


Countries. 


Bolivia. 

Central America 


China.• 


Colombia 
Ecuador. 

India_ 

Mexico... 
Persia ... 
Peru. 


Slvr. boliviano 
Silver peso — 

Amoy tael. 

Canton tael_ 

Chefoo tael_ 

Chinkiang tael 
Fucbau tael ... 
Haikwan teal.. 
Hankau tael .. 
Hongkong tael 
Ningpo tael ... 
Niuchwang 

tael. . 

Shanghai tael. 
Swatow tael... 

Takao tael. 

Tientsin tael.. 

Silver peso_ 

Silver peso ... 
Silver rupeef.. 
Silver dollar .. 

Silver kran_ 

Silver sol. 


$ 0.436 

$ 0.436 

.436 

.436 

.706 

.705 

.704 

.703 

.675 

.674 

.69 

.689 

.653 

.652 

.718 

.718 

.66 

.66 

(*) 

(*) 

.979 

.678 

.662 

.661 

.645 

.644 

.652 

.651 

.71 

.71 

.684 

.683 

.436 

.436 

.436 

.436 

.207 

.207 

.474 

.474 

.08 

.08 

.436 

.436 


$ 0.427 

$ 0.468 

.427 

.465 

.691 

.757 

.689 

.755 

.661 

.724 

.675 

.74 

.64 

.701 

.71*3 

.771 

.647 

.709 

(*l 

(*) 

.665 

.728 

.648 

.71 

.631 

.692 

.639 

.70 

.696 

.762 

.67 

.734 

.427 

.468 

.427 

.468 

.203 


.464 

.509 

.079 

.086 

.427 



*The “British dollar” has the same legal value as the Mexican 
dollar in Hongkong, the Straits Settlements, and Labuan. 

+The sovereign is the standard coin of India, but the rupee 
is the money of account. 






































Connected with the Mining Industry. 67 


Foreign Weights and Measures. 

The following table embraces only such weights and meas¬ 
ures as are given from time to time in United States consular 
reports and in commercial relations. 

Foreign weights and measures with American equivalents. 


Denominations. 

Where Used. 

American 

Equivalent. 

Almude ___... _ 

Portugal . 

4.422 gallons. 
7.6907 bushels. 
0.02471 acre. 

25 pounds. 

1.001 pounds. 
25.3175 pounds. 
32.38 pounds. 
25.3664 pounds. 
32.38 pounds. 
25.36 pounds. 
25.4024 pounds. 
4.263 gallons. 

2a inches. 

5.44 sq. feet. 

1.12 pounds. 
20.0787 gallons. 

11.4 gallons. 

100 pounds. 

361.12 pounds. 

832 grains. 

7,096.5 sq. mtrs. 
0.1 inch. 

140 gallons. 

5.4 gallons. 

529 pounds. 

500 pounds. 

113 pounds. 

575 pounds. 
124.7036 pounds. 
175 pounds. 

30o pounds. 

1.3333 (14) lbs. 

1.31 pounds. 

1.35 pounds. 

2.12 pounds. 

4.2631 gallons. 

117.5 pounds. 
110.24 pounds. 
110.11 pounds. 

112.43 pounds. 

113.44 pounds. 

93 7 pounds. 

123.5 pounds. 
110.24 pounds. 
220.46 pounds. 
5.7748 bushels. 

14 inches. 

3.098 pounds. 

2,667 pounds. 

4.2 acres. 

78.9 yards. 

8.077 square feet. 
Nearly 2 acres. 
35.3 cubic feet. 

112 pounds. 

2.6997 acres. 

1.599 bushels. 
Half ounce. 

1.5745 bushels. 

Ardeb __ _.. .. 

Egypt . 

Are _ __ 

Metric . 

Arobe_ 

Paraguay . 

Arratel or libra.. .. _ 

Arroba (dry).-.. . 

Portugal_ .. . _ 

Argentine Republic_ .. . . 

Brazil_ 

Arroba (dry). .. . 

Arroba (dry)__ 

Cuba . _ . 

Arroba (dry).... 

Portugal... 

Spain.... 

Venezuela_ 

Arroba (dry).. 

Arroba (dry) __ 

Arroba (liquid)_ 

Arshine. . _.. _ . . 

Arshine (square)_ 

Cuba, Spain and Venezuela_ 

Russia . ..... 

Russia __ ___ 

Artel. _ .. _ 

Baril. 

Barrel . _ _ .. 

Morocco .. _ 

Argentine Republic and Mexico 
Malta (customs) 

Barrel_ _ 

Spain (raisins) 

Berko vets_ ... ... 

Russia 

Bongkal . ... . 

India. 

Bouw- ... __ ... 

Sum atra 

Bu . .. __... 

Japan .. 

Butt (wine)-. . . 

Spain. . . 

Caffiso . ___ .. 

Malta 

Candy . ... ___ 

India (Bombay) 

Candy_ _. 

India (Madras)_ 

Cantar___ ... . . 

Morocco.. . 

Cantar_ 

Syria (Damascus) 

Cantar . _____ . 

Turkey .... 

Cantaro (cantar). .. .. 

Malta_ __ 

Carga__ _ . 

Mexico and Salvador 

Catty _ .. _ 

China__ .. .. 

Catty*_ _ 

Japan .. __ 

Catty__ _ 

Java, Siam a/nd Malacca 

Catty___ . 

Sumatra _ _ 

Centaro _ 

Central America 

Centner.. ... . _ 

Bremen and Brunswick 

Centner. ..... 

Darmstadt_ 

Centner.. _ .. .. 

Denmark and Norway.. 

Centner__ __ _ 

Nuremberg. __ 

Centner__ .. . 

Prussia_ .. _ 

Centner. .. .... 

Sweden .. ... 

Centner..___ 

Vienna . _ 

Centner.. ___ 

Zollverein._ 

Centner.. 

Chetvert ... . . 

Double or metric.. _ ... 

Russia . _ . _ 

Chih_ 

China .. .. . .. 

Coyan__ ... . 

Sarawak....... 

Coy an. ... 

Siam Koyan) . . . .. 

Cuadra .... . ..... 

Argentine Republic.. 

Cuadra .. _ . __ 

Paraguay __ . 

Cuadra__ .. 

Paraguay (square). ___ 

Cuadra___ .. 

Uruguay.... 

Cubic meter_ _ 

Cwt. (hundredweight) 
Dessiatine. ... ___ 

Metric .. .... 

British_ . . 

Russia... ... .. 

Dessiatine... _ . 

Spain . . ... . 

Drachme . ... 

Greece.. . __ __ 

Fanegra (dry)_ 

Central America.. . 


*More frequently called “kin.” Among: merchants in the treaty ports 
it equals 1.33& pounds avoirdupois. 




































































































































68 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Foreign Weights and Measures—Continued. 


Denominations. 

Where Used. 

Fanega (dry).. 

Chile____ 

Fanega (dry)_ 

Cuba.. .. .. _ 

Fanega (dry).. 

Mexico. _ _ 

Fanega (dry).. 

Morocco 

Fanega (dry)_ _ 

TTnifrnav (double) 

Fanega (dry).. 

Uruguay (single) ._ 

Fanega (dry)... 

Venezuela. 

Fanega (liquid)_ .. 

Spain 

Feddan_ _ 

Epwnt 

Frail (raisins).—. 

Spain 

Frasco _ 

Argentine Republic 

Frasco ... ... 

M exico 

Frasila.... . 

Zanzibar 

Fuder... 

T mxembonrp’ 

Funt___ 

Russia 

Garnice...... 

Russian Poland 

Gram.. .. 

Metric 

Hectare_ _ 

Metric 

Hectoliter (dry).... 

Metric . 

Hectoliter (liquid)- 

Metric . 

Joch . _ 

A n stri a-TT nn trarv 

Ken__ 

Japan 

Kilogram (kilo)_ 

Metric 

Kilometer .. 

Metric . 

Klafter_ .. _ 

Russia 

Koku.. . . 

J apan 

Korree___ 

Russia 

Kwan... 

J apan 

Last_ . _ . 

Relednm and Holland 

Last____ 

England (dryma.lt) 

Last. .. 

Germany 

Last.... 

Prussia 

Last .... 

Russian Poland 

Last.... 

Spain (salt) 

League (land)- 

Paraguay 

Li... 

China 

Libra (pound).. 

Argentine Republic 

Libra (pound).. 

Central America 

Libra (pound).. 

Chile . 

Libra (pound).. 

Cuba. 

Libra (pound)__ 

Mexico. .. 

Libra (pound).. .. 

Peru . .. 

Libra(pound). 

Portugal. 

Libra(pound)_ 

Spain . .. 

Libra (pound)__ 

Uruguay. 

Libra (pound). 

V enezuela. 

Liter__ _ 

Metric_ 

Livre (pound)__ 

Greece.. 

Livre (pound)__ 

Guiana_ .. 

Load_ __ 

England (timber) 

Manzana... 

Costa Rica 

Manzana .. _ .. . 

Nicaragua, and Salvador 

Marc .. 

Bolivia 

Maund . ... 

India. 

Meter__ 

Metric . 

Mil _ 

Denmark 

Mil... 

Denmark (geographical). 

Milla_ 

Nicaragua and Hondrus.. 

Morgen_ 

Prussia 

Oke.. 

Egypt_ 




American 

Equivalent. 


2.575 bushels. 
1.599 bushels. 
1.54728 bushels. 
Strike fanega, 70 
lbs.; full fa¬ 
nega, 118 lbs. 
7.776 bushels. 
3.888 bushels. 
1.599 bushels. 

16 gallons. 

1.03 acres. 

50 pounds. 

2.5096 quarts. 

2.5 quarts. 

35 pounds. 

264.17 gallons. 
0.9028 pound. 

0 88 gallon. 

15.432 grains. 
2.471 acres. 

2.838 bushels. 
26.417 gallons. 
1.422 acres. 

6 feet. 

2.2046 pounds. 
0.621376 mile. 

216 cubic feet. 

4 9629 bushels. 

3.5 bushels. 

8.28 pounds. 
85.134 bushels. 
82.52 bushels. 

2 metric tons 

(4,480 pounds). 
112.29 bushels. 
11S bushels. 

4.760 pounds. 
4,633 acres. 

2,115 feet. 

1.0127 pounds. 
1.043 pounds. 
1.014 pounds. 
1.0161 pounds. 
1.01465 pounds. 
1.0143 pounds. 
1.011 pounds. 
1.0144 pounds. 
1.0143 pounds. 
1.0161 pounds 
1.0567 quarts. 

1.1 pounds. 

1.0791 pounds. 
Square, 50 cubic 
ft.; unhewn,40 
cubic ft.; inch 
planks, 600 su¬ 
perficial ft. 

1b acres. 

1.727 acres. 

0.507 pound. 

82? pounds. 

39 37 inches. 

4.68 miles. 

4.61 miles. 

1.1493 miles. 

0.63 acre. 

2.7225 pounds. 










































































































































Connected with the Mining Industry 


69 


Foreign Weights and Measures—Concluded. 


Denominations. 


Where Used. 


American 

Equivalent. 


Oke. 

Oke.. 

Oke.. 

Oke. 

Pic. 

Picul. 

Picul.. 

Picul.. 

Picul. 

Pie.. 

Pie.. 

Pik... 

Puod__ 

Pund (pound). 

Quarter.. 

Quarter. 

Quintal- 

Quintal-- 

Quintal.. 

Quintal_ 

Quintal -_ 

Quintal.... 

Quintal.. 

Quintal-- 

Rottle. 

Rottle..... 

Sagen---- 

Salm... 

Se.... 

Seer.. 

Shaku__ 

Sho__ 

Standard (St. Petersburg) 

Stone.. 

Suerte .. 

Sun... 

Tael.. 

Tan.. 

To.—. 

Ton .. 

Tonde (cereals).. 

Tondeland.. 

Tsubo. 

Tsun____ 

Tunna__ 

Tunnland... 

Vara... 

V ara.. 

Vara.. 

Vara... 

Vara.... 

Vara.. 

Vara.. 

Vara. 

Vara. 

Verdo... 

Vergees. 

Verst . 

Vlocka... 


Greece... 

Hungary___ 

Turkey..... 

Hungary and Wallacbia. 

Egypt ..... 

Borneo and Celebes.. 

China, Japan and Sumatra_ 

Java.. 

Philippine Islands. 

Argentine Republic. 

Spain... 

Turkey ...... 

Russia..... 

Denmark and Sweden. 

Great Britain.. 

London (coal).... 

Argentine Republic.. 

Brazil___ 

Castile,*Chile, Mexico and Peru 

Greece...... 

Newfoundland (fish). 

Paraguay...... 

Syria. 

Metric..... 

Palestine..... 

Syria... 

Russia..... 

Malta... 

Japan.. 

India... 

Japan..... 

Japan_ 

Lumber measure... 

British.. 

Uruguay... 

Japan.. 

Cochin China. 

Japan...... 

Japan... 

Space measure... 

Denmark... 

Denmark...... 

Japan . 

China.. 

Sweden ..... 

Sweden ---- 

Argentine Republic.. 

Central America.. 

Chile and Peru. 

Cuba .. 

Curacao.. 

Mexico. 

Paraguay. 

Spain.. 

Venezuela.. 

Russia. 

Isle of Jersey. 

Russia _ _ 

Russia Poland___ 


2.84 pounds. 
3.0817 pounds. 
2.82838 pounds. 

2.5 pints. 

21i inches. 

135.64 pounds. 
133i pounds. 

135.1 pounds. 

137.9 pounds. 
0.9478 foot. 
0.91407 foot. 

27.9 inches. 
36.112 pounds. 

I. 102 pounds. 
8.252 bushels. 

36 bushels. 
101.42 pounds. 
130.06 pounds. 

101.41 pounds. 

123.2 pounds. 

112 pounds. 

100 pounds. 

125 pounds. 
220.46 pounds. 

6 pounds. 

5| pounds. 

7 feet. 

490 pounds. 
0.02451 acres. 

1 lb. 13 ozs. 

II. 9305 inches. 

1.6 quarts. 

165 cubic feet. 

14 pounds. 

2,700 cuadras 

(see c.uadra). 
1.193 inches. 
590.75 gr. (troy). 
0 25 acre. 

2 pecks. 

40 cubic feet. 
3.94783 bushels. 
1.36 acres. 

6 feet square. 

1.41 inches. 

4.5 bushels. 

1.22 acres. 

34.1208 inches. 
32.87 inches. 
33.367 inches. 
33.384 inches. 
33.375 inches. 

33 inches. 

34 inches. 

0.914117 yard. 
33.384 inches. 
2.707 gallons. 

71.1 square rods. 
0.663 mile. 

41.98 acres. 


^Although the metric weights are used officially in Spain, the Castile 
quintal is employed in commerce in the Peninsula and colonies, save in 
Catalonia; the Catalan quintal equals 91.71 pounds. 






































































































































70 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Metric Weights and Measures. 

METRIC WEIGHTS. 

Milligram (1/1000 gram) equals 0.0154 grain. 
Centigram (1/100 gram) equals 0.1543 grain. 
Decigram (1/10 gram) equals 1.5432 grains. 

Gram equals 15.432 grains. 

Decagram (10 grams) equals 0.3527 ounce. 
Hectogram (100 grams) equals 3.5274 ounces. 
Kilogram (1,000 grams) equals 2.2046 pounds. 
Myriagram (10,000 grams) equals 22.046 pounds. 
Quintal (100,000 grams) equals 220.46 pounds. 
Millier or tonneau—ton (1,000,000 grams)—equals 
2,204.6 pounds. 


METRIC DRY MEASURE. 

Milliliter (1/1000 liter) equals 0.061 cubic inch. 
Centiliter (1/100 liter) equals 0.6102 cubic inch. 
Deciliter (1/10 liter) equals 6.1022 cubic inches. 
Liter equals 0.908 quart. 

Decaliter (10 liters) equals 9.08 quarts. 

Hectoliter (100 liters) equals 2.838 bushels. 
Kiloliter (1,000 liters) equals 1.308 cubic yards. 

METRIC LIQUID MEASURE. 

Milliliter (1/1000 liter) equals 0.0388 fluid ounce. 
Centiliter (1/100 liter) equals 0.388 fluid ounce. 
Deciliter (1/10 liter) equals 0.845 gill. 

Liter equals 1.0567 quarts. 

Decaliter (10 liters) equals 2.6418 gallons. 
Hectoliter (100 liters) equals 26.418 gallons. 
Kiloliter (1,000 liters) equals 264.18 gallons. 

METRIC MEASURES OF LENGTH. 

Millimeter (1/1000 meter) equals 0.0394 inch. 
Centimeter (1/100 meter) equals 0.3937 inch. 
Decimeter (1/10 meter) equals 3.937 inches. 
Meter equals 39.37 inches. 

Decameter (10 meters) equals 393.7 inches. 





Connected with the Mining Industry. 


71 


Hectometer (100 meters) equals 328 feet 1 inch. 

Kilometer (1,000 meters) equals 0.62137 mile 
(3,280 feet 10 inches). 

Myriameter (10,000 meters) equals 6.2137 miles. 

METRIC SURFACE MEASURE. 

Centare (1 square meter) equals 1,550 square 
inches. 

Are (100 square meters) equals 119.6 square 
yards. 

Hectare (10,000 square meters) equals 2.471 acres. 

The metric system has been adopted by the fol¬ 
lowing named countries: Argentine Republic, Bo¬ 
livia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, 
Mexico, United States of America, and Venezuela. 


It is no uncommon thing to see, in a Western 
mining camp, an illiterate millionaire in greasy buck¬ 
skin, and a college graduate in rags. 




72 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Miles. 

The Irish mile is 2,240 yards. 

The Swiss mile is 9,153 yards. 

* 

The Italian mile is 1,766 yards. 

The Scotch mile is 1,984 yards. 

The Tuscan mile is 1,808 yards 
The German mile is 8,106 yards. 

The Arabian mile is 2,143 yards. 

The Turkish mile is 1,826 yards. 

The Flemish mile is 6,869 yards. 

The Vienna post mile is 8,296 yards. 

The Roman mile is 1,628, or 2,025 yards. 

The Werst Mile is 1,167, or 1,367 yards. 

The Dutch and Prussian mile is 6,480 yards. 
The Swedish and Danish mile is 7,341.5 yards. 
The English and American mile is 1,760 yards. 






Connected with the Mining Industry. 


73 


General Information. 

The following tables were prepared by Mr. S. S. 
Burt, of Chicago, Ill., a noted expert mine examiner, 
whose “trail” extends from Behring straits to Cape 
Horn: 

The United States mints receive old gold or gold 
dust washed from the beds of streams, or extracted 
from the rocks, for assaying and refining, and pay 
for the same in legal tender whatever it is worth, 
but never sell gold to any one except in the form of 
coin. 

Gold and silver are bought and sold by troy 
weight, 24 grains one pennyweight, 20 pennyweights 
one ounce, 12 ounces one pound. 

The price established by the United States govern¬ 
ment for pure gold is $20.67 per ounce, that is for 
gold 1000 fine, or 24 karats. 

The term karat is used by jewelers to express the 
degrees of fineness of gold, dividing it into 24 degrees 
or karats. 

Pure gold is 24 karats fine and worth 4% cents per 
grain, 4% cents karat, or $20.67 per ounce. One 
pound pure gold, 1000 fine, troy weight, is worth 
$248.04. 

Per Ounce. 


22-karat gold is worth.$18.94 

20-karat gold is worth. 17.22 

18-karat gold is worth. 15.50 

16-karat gold is worth. 13.78 

14-karat gold is worth. 12.05 

12-karat gold is worth. 10.33% 

10-karat gold is worth. 8.61 

8-karat gold is worth. 6.89 











74 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Per Ounce. 


Gold 1000 fine is worth.$20.67 

Gold 900 fine is worth. 18.60 

Gold 800 fine is wirth. 16.53 

Gold 700 fine is worth. 14.47 

Gold 600 fine is worth. 12.40 

Gold 500 fine is worth. 10.33% 

Gold 400 fine is worth. 8.26 

Gold 300 fine is worth. 6.20 

Gold 200 fine is worth. 4.13 

Gold 100 fine is worth.... 2.06 

% 


Many persons are mistaken in thinking all ounces 
are alike. An ounce troy or apothecaries’ weight 
contains 480 troy grains; an ounce avoirdupois 
weight contains 437% troy grains. 

The grain is the unit of troy and apothecaries’ 
weight, and the ounce is the unit of avoirdupois 
weight. 

One pound troy or apothecaries’ weight contains 
5,760 troy grains. One pound avoirdupois weight 
contains 7,000 troy grains. 













Connected with the Mining Industry. 


75 


United States Mint Information. 

One dollar. United States gold coin unit of value, 
contains 25 8/10 troy grains. 

Two and a half dollars. United States gold coin 
unit of value, contains 64 5/10 grains. 

Five dollars. United States gold coin unit of value, 
contains 129 troy grains. 

Ten dollars, United States gold coin unit of value, 
contains 258 troy grains. 

Twenty dollars, United States gold coin unit of 
value, contains 516 Troy grains. 

One silver dollar, United States coin unit of value, 
contains 412% troy grains. 


One thousand dollars, United States gold coin, 
weighs 59% ounces avoirdupois, 54 ounces troy 
weight, or 4% pounds. 

One pennyweight of gold, 1000 fine, is worth 
$1.03 7/20 troy pounds. 

Five thousand dollars, United States gold coin, 
weighs 268 75/100 ounces troy weight, or about 
22 4/10 troy pounds. 

One thousand silver dollars weigh 859 38/100 
ounces, or 71 6/10 pounds troy weight. 

Fifty thousand dollars, United States gold coin, 
weighs a little less than 224 troy pounds. 


The value of a ton of pure gold, 1000 fine, is 
$602,799.21. 

One million dollars in gold coin weighs 3,685% 
pounds, or 1% tons. 

The value of a ton of pure silver is $37,704.84 
(subject to fluctuations). 

One million dollars in silver coin weighs 56,931% 
pounds avoirdupois, or nearly 28% tons. 






76 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


Weight of a Cubic Foot of Various Metals. 





Lbs. 

Oz. 

Platinum. 



.1,218 

12 

Pure gold. 



.1,203 

10 

Mercury. 

% 


. 848 

12 

Lead. 



. 709 

8 

Pure silver... . 



. 625 

13 

Tin . 



. 455 

11 

Steel . 



. 487 

12 

Copper . 



. 547 

4 

Brass . 



. 543 

12 

Zinc. 



. 428 

13 


Deg. 

Brass melts at.1,900 

Gold melts at.2,590 

Platinum melts at.3,080 

Tin melts at. 421 

Copper melts at.2,548 

Lead melts at. 594 

Silver melts at.1,250 

Zinc melts at. 740 

Nickel melts at.2,793 























Connected with the Mining Industry. 


77 


i 


The first discovery of gold in California was made 
by J. W. Marshall in the mill race of General Sutter, 
January 19, 1848. The announcement of this discov¬ 
ery caused the wildest gold fever excitement ever ex¬ 
perienced, not only in America, but in every part of 
the civilized world. 


The first discovery of gold in Colorado was in 
1858, on Cherry creek, and the first discovery of sil¬ 
ver was made at Georgetown by John Huff, Septem¬ 
ber 14, 1864. _ 

The first gold mine discovered in Nevada was at 
Gold Hill by Joe Kirby, in 1857. The first quartz 
claim was located by James Finney—better known as 
“Old Virginia”—February 28, 1858. The rich deposit 
of silver ore was discovered by Peter O’Reilly and 
Patrick McLaughlin, June, 1859. They were engaged 
in gold washing, and uncovered a rich vein of sul- 
phuret of silver when engaged in excavating a place 
wherein to catch a supply of water for their rockers. 
Kirby claimed the ground where the discovery was 
made, and sold his holding to a Mr. Comstock; hence, 
Comstock’s name was given to the lode. The “Com¬ 
stock” mines have yielded since their discovery over 
$200,000,000, and are still being worked. 


Hydraulic mining is carried on to perfection on 
the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
The ditches and flumes extend for many miles, tap¬ 
ping the rivers near their sources, near the region of 
perpetual snow. By this means the water is con¬ 
veyed over and around the hills, whence it is carried 
to any claim below it. The long, high and narrow 
flume, called a “telegraph,” carries the water to the 
ditch, as nearly level as possible, over the claim to be 
worked. To the “telegraph’ ’is attached a hose, with 
an iron pipe or nozzle, through which the water 
rushes with great velocity. When directed against 
a gravel bank it cuts and tears it down, washing the 
dirt thoroughly. The water carries rocks, dirt and 

L. of C. 






78 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


sand through the tail race, and into the long flume, 
where the riffles for collecting the gold are placed. 
The rocks and sand are carried through the long 
flumes, while the gold is caught by the riffles. When 
desired, the water is turned off, and the miners 
“clean up” the gold from the flumes. 


V-shaped flumes, supported by trestlework, are in 
use by miners in some places for bringing down tim¬ 
ber and wood from the high mountains, at the same 
time using the water for mining purposes. Some of 
these flumes are many miles in length; one on the 
western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in 
California, is over forty miles long, and delivers its 
freight at the town of Checo. 


High wire tramways are in use in some localities 
for bringing down ores from elevated mines to 
smelters below, or for shipment. 


A miner’s inch of water is usually what will flow 
through a one-inch square orifice, with a four-inch 
head pressure. 

Fifty miner’s inches are equal to a discharge of 
one cubic foot of water per second of time. 


To get the miner’s inch in gallons, divide the num¬ 
ber of gallons flow, or discharge, per minute by 
8.9766. The result will be the number of inches 

v 

sought. _ 

To get the number of gallons in miner’s inches, 
multiply the given number of inches by 14.961, point¬ 
ing off five decimals. The result will be the number 
of gallons discharged per second. 


The first house built in San Francisco was in 1835. 
The place was then called “Yuba Buena.” It was 
changed to San Francisco in 1847, before the discov¬ 
ery of gold in California. 










Connected with the Mining Industry . 


79 


“Putting on Style.” 

The assumption of “aristocratic airs” is the de¬ 
testation of everybody in a mining camp. No one 
but a “tenderfoot,” or person lacking good sense, at¬ 
tempts it. It is neither forgotten nor forgiven. It 
should also be remembered that no people more ad¬ 
mire and respect upright, moral character than do the 
miners and citizens in a mining camp, while, at the 
same time, none more thoroughly despise hypocrisy 
in any shape. In fact, good men and good women 
may be as moral and religious as they choose to be 
in the mining countries, and as happy as human be¬ 
ings can be. Much they may miss that they may have 
been accustomed to, and much they will receive that 
none offered them before. 

The old miner, no matter how rough he may look 
or really be, will “tighten his belt” at the first symp¬ 
toms of anybody disturbing a religious meeting, and 
“sail in” with: “Give the parson a chance, or waltz 
up to me!” Here is a rough, honest sense of honor, 
with the bark on. No hypocrisy in an old miner or 
plainsman. 


Twin Brothers of Civilization. 

The first gold mined in the world was discovered 
on arid lands; the first fields were cultivated on arid 
lands; the first flocks were distributed on arid lands; 
the first cities were built on arid lands; the first 
civilized government was organized on arid lands; 
the prophets of old—the chosen people of God—knew 
only of arid lands. 

Under torrid skies, on rainless, treeless plains, 
agriculture, the domestication of animals, arts in 
metals, temple building, cities and civilization had 
their beginning. 

In our western country mining and irrigation are 
“twin brothers of civilization.” Their value to each 





80 


Glossary of Terms and Phrases 


other, and their importance to the whole people of 
these United States, are beyond the possibility of 
computation. 

Had the “Pilgrim Fathers” landed on the shores of 
Arid California, instead of Plymouth Rock, that old 
“blarney stone” would now be surrounded by the 
native nomadic races, and the government census 
would contain no record of 10,000 “abandoned farms” 
within a few hundred miles of the “Rock.” 

Irrigation is the god of the harvest. In an emer¬ 
gency Moses, the chief of the Israelites, “smote the 
rock” to obtain water. Crofutt’s patent “lifts” tap 
the underflow water; then “push the button”—the 
water does the rest—a bountiful harvest is assured. 
With these “lifts” in general use, drouth will never 
menace the people of the world. 




i COPY DEL - 
MAR. T 1902 


f, SF 






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